
CIass_E2_gL 



Bonk JflBl 



Foxcroft, Maine 
1812-1912 



Proceeding's of the 

Centennial Celebration 

October 1, 1912 

John Francis Sprague, Editor 



DOVER 

1917 






Reprinted from 

Sprague's Journal of 

Maine History 






Spraguc's Journal of Maine History, pub- 
lished quarterly at Dover, Maine. The 
only publication in the world devoted ex- 
clusively to Maine Historical Subjects. 
$1.00 per year. 

Bound volumes .fl.75. 



CONTENTS 49 



CONTENTS 

Page. 

Foxcrof t's Centennial, vote of town, 1917 51 

Foxcroft's looth Anniversary, introductory 52 

Centennial Poem, Anna Boynton Averill, 60 

Historical Sketch of Foxcroft, Rev. George A. Merrill 02 

Foxcroft in the Civil War, Wainright Cushing 81 

Clergymen of Foxcroft, Liston P. Evans, go 

Doctors of Foxcroft. Edgar T. Flint, M. D., 93 

Foxcroft Academy, Willis E. Parsons 99 

Schools and Schoolhouses, W. H. Sturtevant 112 

Patriotic Societies, Sarah A. Martin j 17 

The Masonic Fraternity, John Francis Sprague 123 

Dedication of Foxcroft Bridge, Willis E. Parsons, 130 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Page. 

Joseph Ellery Foxcroft 50 

Centennial Parade, "100 years ago," 53 

Centennial Parade on Foxcroft Bridge ^y 

Anna Boynton Averill 60 

Centennial Decorations, 71 

Oldest House in Foxcroft 79 

Congregational Church and Chapel 91 

Foxcroft Academy and Soldiers' Monument 107 

Foxcroft Village School 113 

Monument Square and Foxcroft Bridge, 125 

Foxcroft Bridge — ^1854 131' 

Foxcroft Bridge — 191 1 133 



52 



YEARS the Insurance IVIan of Somerset Co. 

Never a Failure— Never a Law Suit— What more do you want? 
CHARLES FOLSOM-JONES, Skowhegan Maine 



50 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 




-> 




t^[^ ^.t^tai(yyy?f^ 



The original proprietor of Township No. 5, Range 7, North of 
Waldo Patent, now the town of Foxcroft, and so named in his 
honor. Born in New Gloucester, Maine, March 10. 1773. and died 
there September i, 1852. (See Vol. I. pp. 150 156, for an extended 
sketch of Col. Foxcroft.) 



Sprague's Journal of Maine History 

Vol. V SEPTEMBER ( Special Number ) 1917 No. 2 



Foxcroft Centennial 

• When the centennial of the incorporation of the town of Fox- 
croft was celebrated in 1912, there was no appropriation available 
to be used for ptiblishing the proceedings of the day. At the annual 
meeting in 1917 an appropriation was made for that jmrpose. as 
\\ ill appear from the following: ^ 

TOWN RECORD. 

Art. 49. To see if the town will appropriate the sum of two 
hundred fifty dollars ($250) or such part thereof as may be neces- 
sary to publish in a special number of Sprague's Journal of Maine 
History the Centennial proceedings of the town of Foxcroft, with 
appropriate cuts, similar to the number published by the Guilford 
Centennial, and appoint a committee with authority to arrange and 
contract therefor. 

;jc ^ ijt ^ 

Art. 49. Voted to raise the sum of two hundred fifty dollars 
(S250) and appropriate so much thereof as may be necessary to 
])ublish in a special number of Sprague's Journal of Maine History, 
the centennial proceedings of the town of Foxcroft, with appro- 
])riate cuts similar to the number published by the Guilford Cen- 
tennial, and that a committee be appointed by the Chair with 
authority to arrange and contract therefor. 

The Chair appointed C. \\\ Hayes. E. D. Merrill and E. C. Smith. 
Committee. 

A true excerpt from the town record. 191 7. Attest, 

W. M. Steward, Clerk of Tozcii of Foxcroft. 



52 



SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Foxcroft's 100th Anniversary 

Foxcroft celebrated the anniversary of its organization October 
1st, 1912. The anniversary was x\ugust 31st, but belated enthusiasm 
delayed the celebration until then. 

The affair had been planned in a short time and to some of the 
committees especially belongs a great deal of praise for the efficieni 
work. 

Tuesday was a cold, raw day and rain fell during the early 
morning and in the afternoon and evening. A heavy fall of rain 
made it impossible to hold the fireworks in the evening. During the 
passing of the trades parade the sun shone and this parade was the 
feature of the day. 

At six in the morning the festivities began. The ringing of bells 
and the firing of bombs on Foxcroft bridge aroused the blood of 
every citizen and gave promise of a day of festival enjoyment, in 
spite of lowering skies. A decorator had been at work for 10 days 
on the buildings and the appearance of some of the residences and 
most of the business places, as well as of Foxcroft bridge, which 
was formally dedicated at noon, was one of gaiety and attractive- 
ness. 

It has been estimated by those who made a tour of the towns that 
there were about five thousand people on the streets during the day. 

At nine o'clock the parade of trade floats and antiquities started 
on Main street, Foxcroft. being formed on this and streets adjoin- 
ing. There were three bands in the parade and 65 teams, rigs, 
farming implements and floats. Some of the trade floats were very 
attractive creations. The first prize was awarded to Josef L. Brock- 
way, florist, who besides having a beautiful creation, carried out a 
unique idea. The float was drawn by white horses, the harness 
being trimmed in pink. The entire color scheme was pink and 
white. The float represented a bridal party. At the front stood 
the clergyman, Josef L. Brockway, the "happy couple" were Bela 
Norton and Miss Ruth Day. They stood beneath an arch from 
which was suspended a wedding bell. The arch and l)ell were 
wound with smilax and decorated with pink roses. The rest of 
the float was occupied by four little flower girls, Rachel and Kath- 
leen Stoddard, Eleanor McNaughton and Marv Moran. The ring 
bearer was Clifford McNaughton. At the four corners were white 
posts on which were palms. Other palms, ferns and white doves 
were part of the dainty, beautiful and artistic piece of work. 



FOXCROFT CENTENNIAL 



53 



The second prize was given to Ober & Clark, dry and fancy 
goods dealers. The float was a creation of white trimmed with 
sweet peas. At each corner was a post upon which was an urn filled 
with asters. In the center was a birthday cake, three and a half 
feet in diameter bearing candles. The float bore a banner, ''Our 
one hundredth birthday." 

Geo. H. Hoxie, taxidermist, was awarded the third prize. His 
float was very striking. A small forest of green, with the head of a 
bull moose protruding through the front. In the body of the float 
was an Indian wigwam with children in costume. Other specimens 




Centennial Parade. 
— "lOO years ago" — 

of taxidermy added to the scheme. Following the float was Peter 
Bearce in the guise of an old trapper with his gun and coon skins, 
his hound in leash ahead of him. 

The American Woolen company with its four teams added much 
to the parade. Beginning with a float, attractively trimmed, in which 
was a sheep in the front and wool in the rear, they slix^n-ed the in- 
dustry to the finished product worn by a party of young ladies seated 
in a neatly trimmed outfit. 

The Dover and Foxcroft Light and Heat company had an at- 
tractive float. One half showed a fire-place, an old-time hearth- 
stone, with the candles on the mantel. The other side had all the 



54 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



modern electrical devices for lighting, heating and cooking. The 
first was presided over by an old time madam and the latter by a 
modern housewife. The trimmings and signs were pleasing to the 
eye. 

The telephone operatives had one of the daintiest rigs of the 
day. It was of blue and white and a bower and arch were very 
attractively arranged. Some of the girls occupied positions on the 
float, dressed in attractive gowns. This last float got special men- 
tion from the committee we understand. 

There were many other of the floats which deserve special 
mention. S. G. San ford had three outfits showing his complete line 
of fine horses and carriages which were a great addition to the show. 
S. A. Annis' livery outfit carriage also attracted much favorable 
comment. 

The list of floats and other features in their order is as follows: 

Division one: Taylor's band; Company F, G. A. R. (2); Boy 
Scouts; Mayo & Son, woolen mills. (3) ; Dyer Brothers, grocers, 
(2); Elmer Nickerson. druggist; E. D. Eldridge, painter; V. L, 
Warren, hardware and farming implements, (2) ; W. J. Eldridge, 
dry goods ; C. F. Dearth, cider mill ; Smith Bros., gasoline lights ; 
C. A. Brockway, milk ; A. A. McClure, milk. 

Division two : Monson band ; ]\Iodern Woodmen ; D. & F. Light 
and Heat company ; A. W. Gilman & Co., grain, (2) ; Ober & Clark, 
dry goods; E. H. Chase, furniture: E. W. Judkins. grocer, (2) ; F. 
E. Cole, druggist: S. G. Sanford, livery and sales stable, (3); 
Lillian Harvey, dry and fancy goods ; W. Gushing & Co., coke ; 
Ober, Clark & Thayer, lumber; Will Williams, (driving horse with 
sleigh 125 years old attached) ; S. A. Annis, livery stable. 

Division three : Guilford band ; Eldorado Encampment, I. O. 
O. F., American Woolen company, (4) ; N. E. T. & T. Co. ; Josef 
L. Brockway, florist; P. E. Ward & Co.. furniture; O. H. Bragg 
S: Co.. $2-trousers for $2 ; five exhibits placed by the committee, 
oxen and farming implements ; Hughes & Son, pianos : J. G. Sawyer, 
lumber, Wm. Buck & Co., druggists. 

Division four : Drum corps ; Union Hose Co. ; Tiger Hose Co. ; 
Hook & Ladder Co.. hand tub; Curtis & Robinson, harness, trunks 
and bags ; Dow & Boyle, clothiers ; Lyford & Buck, grocers ; J. J. 
I'olsom. lumber; H. W. Thayer, shoes; Mrs. F. E. Gellerson, 
millinery; Standard Oil Co.; C. A. Harmon, ox team; F. D. Bar- 
rows, printer ; George Hoxie, taxidermist ; A. N. Merrill, Star 
theatre. 



FOXCROFT CENTENNIAL 55 



One of the features of the parade which attracted the attention 
of the reporter was the advertising car of the Voight MiUing Co., 
driven by V. M. Boothby, eastern agent, who made a special trip 
from Portland to join the parade, which was ver}^ much appreciated 
by E. W. Judkins, sole agent for X'oight's celebrated Royal flour. 

Following the parade was a ball game at the Central Driving 
park between Henderson and Newport, the game being won by the 
latter 6 to o. In the afternoon the winners were defeated by D. & F. 
7 to 2. 

Band concerts were given in the various squares at 10.30 by the 
three bands already mentioned and by the Milo band which arrived 
on the forenoon train. The work of these organizations has been 
highly complimented. The Monson band, made up of men from 
their town only, was deserving of especial mention. 

The new Foxcroft concrete bridge was dedicated at noon. The 
exercises consisted of an address by Hon. W. E. Parsons, music by 
the band and the display of day fireworks. 

The automobile parade at one o'clock was a disappointment, only 
two or three cars bearing any decorations. W. G. Parker had his 
Buick attractively trimmed. There was a good display of cars but 
no finely trimmed ones besides this one. 

There was a football game at the park in the afternoon following 
the baseball game, between Higgins and Foxcroft academy which 
was easily won by Higgins, 38 to o. 

The historical program carried out in the Congregational church 
during the afternoon was as follows: 

Program. 

President of the Day, A. W. Oilman 

Prayer, Rev. E. L. Gates 

An Original Poem, Anna Boynton Averill 

Historical Address, Rev. G. A. Merrill 

P'oxcroft in the Civil War, Hon. Wainwright Gushing 

Clergymen of Foxcroft, Liston P. Evans 

Doctors of Foxcroft, Dr. Edgar T. Flint 

Foxcroft Academy, Hon. W. E. Parsons 

Schools and Schoolhouses, Supt. W. H. Sturtevant 
Custer Command and Ladies of the G. A. R., Mrs. S. A. Martin 

The Masonic Fraternity, Hon. J. F. Sprague 



56 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 

In the evening there was a grand ball at Central hall and a dance 
in the Palace, both of which were largely attended. Kendall's 
orchestra furnished music for the former, giving a concert which 
was much enjoyed. The dance committee, B. T. Genthner ; chair- 
man, report a very successful outcome of their end of affairs. 

On account of the heavy rain the fireworks were postponed to * 
Thursday evening. 

The marshal of the day was \\'alter J. Mayo. He was ably 
assisted by E. C. McKechnie, Elmer R. Blethen. Dr. E. D. Merrill, 
F. W. Mason, A. J. McNaughton and E. E. Whitney. 

To Elmer C. McKechnie, chairman of the trades parade com- 
nnttee, especially, belongs much credit for the good showing made in 
this feature. He and the other members promised to furnish carts 
and horses for floats. They did furnish them ; good carts "and fine 
looking horses. If this had not been done the number of floats 
would have been much less. 

Display of Antiques. 

The display of antiques was one of the best ever shown at an 
occasion of this kind, the writer believes. Doctor Mary Lowell's 
display at her home was a very important part of this line of the 
day's features. Monday afternoon and all day Tuesday the Doctor 
entertained many people. The list of articles shown is as follows : 

Seventy-eight pictures of some of the oldest residents of Dover 
and Foxcroft. 

Pictures of Mary E. Chandler and Abbie Tower. 

Desk set owned by Charles Parsons Chandler in 1828. 

Pieces of flag staff and of flag from Marshall house (where E. E. 
Ellsworth was killed) secured by Col. Chandler. 

Autograph letters from Colonel Foxcroft to C. P. Chandler, his 
Att'y. 

Tall hat worn by Charles P. Chandler in 1825. 

Muffler worn by Charles Parsons Chandler, 1825. 

Umbrella used by Charles P. Chandler in 1825 when preceptor 
of Foxcroft Academy. 

Shoe buckle. Col. Isaac Parsons, New Gloucester 

Hand woven table cloth. Mrs. Charles Parsons Chandler, made 
by her mother, Mrs. Isaac Wheeler of Garland, in 1828. 

Hand knit shawl. Mrs. Peleg Chandler St., made about 1780. 



FOXCROFT CENTENNIAL 



57 



Baby bib worn by Emily Chandler in 1831. 

Baby's bonnet, worn by Chas. Parsons Chandler who was born in 
1800. 

Baby's outfit made by Mary E. Chandler. 

Pin cushion made by Mrs. Peleg Chandler of New Gloucester, 
after she was 86 years of age. 

Hand made counterpane made about 1820. 

Original bureau scarf. 

Solid mahogany bureau, original brass trimmings, 1830. 

Card table, Mrs. Chandler, 1830. 

Solid mahogany dining table, Mrs. Chandler, 1830. 

Feather bed (in cradle) made about 1794. 




Centennial Parade. 
On Foxcroft Bridge. 



Cradle made by Peleg Chandler, 1762. in which Col. Foxcroft 
was rocked when a baby. 

Collar embroidered by Mrs. Charles P. Chandler. 
Set of dining-room chairs to match side table. 
Side table for dining-room, 1830. 
Bedstead used by Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Chandler, 1830. 
Beaded bags made by Mary E. Chandler. 
Beaded purse made by Mrs. Charles P. Chandler. 
Brass cooking kettles. Brass clothes kettle. 
Coffee mill brought from New Gloucester. 



58 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Brass lamps made for using sperm oil. 

Steel knives and forks, dinner and breakfast set, 1830. 

Sampler worked by Mrs. C. P. Chandler, 1819. 

Syrup jar brought from New Gloucester, used by Col. Foxcroft. 

Tea set, Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Chandler, 1830. 

Dinner set eaten from by Col. Foxcroft. 

First dinner set used by Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Chandler. 

Vases, wedding presents, Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Chandler, 1830. 

Soup tureen and platter 120 years old, Peleg Chandler, Sr. 

Platter 130 years old brought from New Gloucester by Peleg 
Chandler, Sr. 

Set of dishes 150 years old. 

Warming pan. 

Candle snuffer and tray. 

First dust pan in Dover. 

Wedding present to Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Chandler, 1830. 

Table made by Peleg Chandler prior to 1762. 

Decanter of New England rum brought from New Gloucester in 
1828. 

Bells set up by Peleg Chandler, Sr., prior to 1793. 

Carpet 1830, house in Dover. 

Shawl worn by Mrs. C. P. Chandler, 1830. 

First catalogue Foxcroft academy, 1825. 

Second and third catalogues of Foxcroft academy. 

Complete set of catalogues of Foxcroft academy to 1902. 

Commencement program R. I. college 1794 where Peleg Chandler, 
Jr., was graduated. 

Picture of Bowdoin college. 

Massachusetts hall, Bowdoin college. 

First Cong, church, Brunswick. 

Pewter porringer given to Charles Parsons Chandler bv his grand- 
father, Col. Isaac Parsons of New Gloucester, with Parsons' Coat 
of Arms, 1800. 

Light stand made by Peleg Chandler, Sr. in 1749. 

Desk chair over 100 years old, Peleg Chandler, Esq. 

Silver comb and tortoise shell comb, Mrs. C. P. Chandler. 

Shaving set, C. P. Chandler, Esq. 

Mirror, over 125 years old. Mrs. Peleg Chandler. 

Library of Peleg Chandler, Jr., over 90 years old. 

Foil picked up on battlefield of Vicksburg after surrender. 



FOXCROFT CENTENNIAL 59 

Gun picked up on battlefield of Bull Run, Va., by Maj C. P. 

(.handler, ist Mass. Inf. 

Rebel sword picked up on battlefield of Williamsburg by Col. 
(.handler. 

Fire-place set and cooking utensils, 1830. 

Cane, property of Peleg Chandler, Esq., New Gloucester. 

Full set of pictures, five generations of the Chandler family. 

Peleg Chandler, Jr.'s journal, kept in 1791. 

Toddy glass and spoon brought from Gloucester, England, to 
Gioucester, Mass., in 1657, property of Geoffrey Parsons, grand- 
father six times removed of Mary Chandler Lowell. 

Teaspoons of six generations back to 1739. 
. Doll, 1843, Mary E. Chandler, Mrs. Chas. W. Lowell. 

Walking stick of Chas. Parsons Chandler, 1830. 

Spoonholder, 200 years old, brought from England to Charles 
Parsons Chandler. 

Six pieces of china that came from Duxbury, Mass.,. in 1701, to 
Mrs. Peleg Chandler, belonging to the great great great grandmother 
of Chas. Parsons Chandler. 

Picture of eleven young ladies in Foxcroft academy, about 1855. 

Chair made in 1728 in No. Yarmouth by Joseph Chandler, Jr., 
great great grandfather of Chas. Parsons Chandler. 

Letters from 1788 to 1839. 

Papers from 1788 — 1837. 

One of the most interesting features of the Centennial was the 
display of relics and antiques in the Cong'l chapel. Many articles 
of great beautv and of great historical value were shown and the 
committee in charge deserve great credit for their diligence in 
searching them out. Unfortunately no list was made by the com- 
mittee so we are unable to present the names of the articles and 
their contrilmtors. 



6o SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Centennial Poem 



1812 FOXCROFT. 

By Anna Boynton Averill. 
Fair Foxcroft, throned upon her hills, 
Where mountain-lake and forest meet, 
The busy village with its mills, 
The gleaming river at her feet, 
Calls for her children far and near 
— ^To come in her centennial year. 
Leave toil and care and gather here 
In joyous fellowship to greet 
Old friends, old homes, old scenes so dear. 



1912 




-Anna BuviUon A\ crill. 

Her sturdy pioneers who came 

To wrest from forest lands a home, 

Soon saw the rugged wilds grow tame 

With bounteous crops of corn and grain. 

And grass enclosed with walls of stone. 

And then, with foresight of the seer, 

From hard-earned store they gave with cheer, 

To found a seat of learning here. 

That youth might reap where they had sown. 



CENTENNIAL POEM 6i 



Had they foreseen, those sturdy men 
(Who toiled with axe and saw and plow, 
Seeking the future far to ken) 
Machinery's triumph in this glen, 
Man's power increased as it is now, 
Or heard in e'en their wildest dream, 
The motor's honk, the steam cars scream, 
And seen the bright electric light 
Shining beside these falls at night. 
They'd thought the vision, it is plain, 
A wild chimera of the brain. 

And O, dear mother pioneers, 
Now you, unselfish, brave, we see, 
As horseback through the woods you came 
Undaunted, child at breast and knee, 
To share the joys, the hopes, the fears, 
And hardships of the coming years. 
The creaking ox-carts followed slow. 
With precious household goods. -and so 
The homes you made began to grow. 

O, blessed homes ! Your smiling fields 
A royal wealth of tillage yields. 
Where hardy, patient toilers wrought 
For years to reach the goal they sought. 
And higher riches multiplied 
In these loved homes — for side by side 
With toil and sorrow, joy and woe, 
The treasures of the soul may grow. 
And send their silent forces, far 
Beyond the walls that seem a bar. 

And now from over all our land 
From every state, on every hand, 
Come words of faithful love and pride, 
From Foxcroft's exiles, scattered wide. 
But loyal to the lovely town 
By her twin sister nestled down 
Among the hills. With added years. 
Still lovelier she to them appears ; 
While from the crowded marts of care, 
The gay world comes and finds her fair. 



62 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



And here she stands — a model town, 
Triumphant over trials sore, 
That in the passing years she bore, 
And in their passing lived them down. 
The record clear, no touch of blame 
Doth tarnish now her honored name. 
And in her future, fair, we read 
But promised help for human need. 



Historical Sketch of Foxcroft, 
Maine 

By Rev. George A. Merrill. 

To rescue from partial oblivion the main facts and incidents of 
one hundred years in the history of a town is no easy task. I 
claim no special skill in this kind of effort ; and I must ask your 
pardon if any mistakes or inaccuracies have crept into my record. 
The story of a century, I have found intensely interesting. Much 1 
have been obliged to omit, which I would have included gladly, had 
time permitted. What I bring before you today will, I trust, awaken 
old memories, encourage in you all the habit of treasuring up bits 
of history, which may become invaluable in after vears. and increase 
your love for this beautiful town. 

In 1794, the Massachusetts Assembly granted to Bowdoin College 
as an endowment, six townships in the district of Maine. The town 
of Foxcroft is one of these six, — being number five in the seventh 
range, north of the Waldo Patent, or. practically, the northern bor- 
ders of Waldo County as it is today. The present boundaries of 
the town are, on the north, Bowerbank, on the east, Sebec. on the 
south, Dover and on the west, Guilford. At the time of its pur- 
chase, it contained 17.915 acres. A part of Sebec Lake is included 
in it ; it is half a mile less than six in width : and a small strip north 
of the lake has been annexed to Bowerbank, so it falls short con- 
siderably of a full township. This deficiency, however, was made 
up to the purchaser by the grant of half a township in another part 
of the State. 

In the earliest history of this town, one figure stands out more 
prominently than all others, — Col. Joseph Ellerv Foxcroft. the 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FOXCROFT, MAINE 63 

explorer and original proprietor, for whom the town was named. 
This man was the son of Rev. Samuel Foxcroft. who was a gradu- 
ate of Harvard College and the first settled minister in New 
Gloucester. Col. Foxcroft became a business man of considerable 
prominence in his native town and was active in military and politi- 
cal afifairs. It is well to note that he was a member of the Maine 
Constitutional Convention in 1819, a member of the Maine Senate 
i820-'2i, and an Overseer of Bowdoin College from 1821 to 1834. 
In October of the year 1800, Col. Foxcroft, in company with 
Thomas Johnson of New Gloucester, set out on a tour of explora- 
tion in the untrodden wilds to the North. Securing at Skowhegan 
a man by the name of Stephen \\'eston as guide, — who was also a 
competent surveyor,— they proceeded on horseback as far ds Corn- 
ville. Leaving their horses here they pushed on on foot the re- 
mainder of the way, camping wherever night overtook them. Ar- 
riving at length upon the southwest border of the township they 
were seeking, they followed the river nearly down to the falls. In 
a letter. April 3. 1853, Col. Foxcroft says: "We crossed the river a 
little above the falls. This was a pleasant spot, many names marked 
upon trees, but all a wilderness, no sign that anyone ever intended 
to dwell there. We went down the river to the southeast corner 
of the township, and near it, upon the intervale, we found an open- 
ing occupied by Abel Blood and, I think, a hired man with him, 
but there was no family. They had corn growing, and garden roots. 
I well remember the large turnips and beets which they had raised, 
and thus the virgin soil and vigorous nature greeted these first 
efforts of husbandry with liberal productions." 

Being favorably impressed by his explorations. Col. Foxcroft 
bought the township for $7,940. or about forty-five cents per acre. 
The Committee of the College Trustees, William Martyn. Rev. 
Elijah Kellogg, and Isaac Parker, deeded the land Jan. 22. 1801, 
taking a mortgage back, which was cancelled fourteen years later. 
The college imposed as a condition the settlement of twenty-four 
families within a given period. This was no easy task, and it is a 
tribute to the energy and enterprise of Col. Foxcroft that the con- 
ditions were fully met. The town was first lotted by Moses Hods- 
don of Levant in 1801. It Avas divided into two hundred acre lots, 
at a cost of $200. In June of the same year, Samuel Elkins of 
Cornville was hired to clear twenty acres of land. — which was on 
lot nine, range one. — one of the lots on which the village is located. 
In 1802. Col. Foxcroft offered forty-six rights of two hundred acres 



64 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 

each, for sale, to be assigned by lot ; and several were soon bought. 
These purchasers met in New Gloucester, legally organized as pro- 
prietors, and took measures to secure settlers. 

Some of the first individuals and families to take up lots in Fox- 
croft located on the hilly portions of the town in the region of w^hat 
is now known as the Centre. For several years permanent residents 
came in rather slowly. In 1802, the first road was cut out across 
the township, running from what was known as the "old Chandler 
place"' to the "four corners," now Foxcroft Centre, and thence to 
"Morse's landing" on Sebec Lake. A number of clearings were 
made in 1804 and 1805 ; and in 1806^ the first permanent settler, 
John Spaulding, came with his family from Norridgewock and set- 
tled in a log house near the falls. He was soon followed by his 
two brothers, Eleazer and Seth, who also moved their families from 
Norridgewock and occupied log houses near by. For some time the 
settlement was known as Spauldingtown. The first saw and grist- 
mill, built by John Spaulding and Abel Blood, was in operation by 
Jan. I. 1807. This was done at the special instance of Col. Fox- 
croft, who offered to deed a lot and the mill privilege to anyone 
who would build a mill and agree to keep it in repair for ten years. 
In 1807. the first framed house, with a brick chimney, was built by 
Samuel Chamberlain and Ephraim Bacon, near the site of the 
present soldiers' monument. The bricks were made at Abel Blood's 
brick yard at what is now East Dover. The same year the first 
barn was built by Eliphalet Washburn. The first child born in Fox- 
croft was Joseph Foxcroft Spaulding, a son of John Spaulding. 
and named for the proprietor. The date of his birth was April 16, 
j8c6; but he died at the age of six years. Had he grown up he 
would have been presented with a lot of land by Col. Foxcroft. 
The second child was Sally J. Chamberlain, born Aug. 18. 1808. 
She became in after years the wife of Samuel Greeley and the 
mother of Miss Lizzie Greeley and Samuel Greeley of this towni. 
Her death took place only a few years ago. 

Among the early settlers were Joseph Morse, Tristram Robinson, 
John Chandler, Samuel Chamberlain, Ephraim Bacon, John Bige- 
low, Jesse Washburn Nathan Carpenter, Nathaniel, William, Moses 
and Daniel Buck. Gilman Greeley. John Bradburv and Joel Pratt. 
Tristram Robinson settled on the farm, later purchased by Cyrus 
Holmes and now occupied by his grandson. Irving Holmes. Cyrus' 
brother, Salmon, at a later date, occupied the land now owned by A. 
W. Gilman. The home of Nathan Carpenter was the well-known 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FOXCROFT. MAIN^E 6: 



Herring place on Park street. Eliphalet Washburn settled on a 
farm near the Averill place on the road to East Dover. Another 
early settler, David Moulton, father of Mr. Isaac Moulton, a promi- 
nent citizen of La Crosse, Wisconsin, who lately visited this place, 
lived on the farm now owned by Mrs. George Lebroke. 

In the early twenties, William Stedman, William Shaw, and 
Daniel Fullen came from Hebron, Maine, and settled in this town. 
They were later followed by the Leavitts, Harmons, and Hazel- 
tines from Buxton. The Howard brothers, Asel and Asaph, cleared 
the farms now occupied by E. A. Bolton and C. A. Foss respectively. 
Along with William Stedman — who cleared the place now occupied 
by Joseph King, came a young man by the name of Andrews, who 
made a beginning on the farm now occupied by F. S. Getchell. 
Young Andrews was engaged to a sister of Stedman. While he 
was busy in this pioneer w^ork, she sent him some apple seeds ; he 
planted them : and quite a nursery was the result, from which sev- 
eral orchards in the region of Foxcroft Centre were supplied with 
trees. A few of these old trees are now standing. The young lady 
who was responsible for this benevolent act died not long after, 
and young Andrews plans were changed. He sold his farm to Capt, 
Timothy Hazeltine, who, with his son, Timothy, Jr., occupied th.' 
place until their death. 

Abram Bolster and Jacob Lebroke came from Paris, Maine, to 
Foxcroft in 1824. Jacob Lebroke was the son of James Lebroke. 
who was born in Paris, France, and came to this country with 
the French fleet, to fight under Lafayette, serving one year in the 
Continental army. He met his death by falling off the roof of a 
building when he lacked only one month of being one hundred years 
old. Jacob Lebroke moved here soon after the birth of his son, 
Augustus G., who in after years became one of the most able, 
eloquent, and influential lawyers in the State, and a prominent 
citizen of Foxcroft for many years. The oldest house in Foxcroft 
is located on North street and was built by Andrew Blethen in 1818. 
iMr. Blethen afterwards built the first mills at Greeley's landing, 
Sebec Lake, and also the Dennis Brawn home. 

Eleazer Spaulding. with his two brothers, John and Seth, built 
not only the first mill, Init the first dam across the Piscataquis River. 
We must realize that this work was done with the greatest diflfi- 
culty in, those early times. Hardly a horse could be found to haul 
the timber : every board and timber had to be hewed by hand ; all 
the machinerv and tools had to be hauled from Bangor, and for 



66 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



twenty miles the road was nothing but a trail through the forest ; 
the streams and bogs were not spanned by bridges ; the load was 
hauled on two lang shafts, the ends of which dragged on the ground, 
making progress slow and tedious at best. In spite of all these 
difficulties, the dam and mill were finished according to the con- 
tract ; but the dam was so leaky that the mill could be run only at 
high water, and people had to go elsewhere sometimes, to get their 
work done. 

In those days "spirituous liquors" w^ere considered a necessity 
v'henever any task of importance w'as to be performed. When 
Samuel Chamberlain was about to raise his first large barn, which 
must have been about 1809. he announced that he should supply no 
rum. The prevailing opinion was that he would have no raising. 
In face of this direful prediction, however, a bountiful dinner was * 
prepared, and the barn went up without a hitch. 

In 1810, the population returned for No. 5. Range 7. was sixty- 
five ; and three years later there were twenty-five voters for State 
officers. The people had made sufficient progress in 1810. to lead 
them to petition the Massachusetts Legislature for an act of incor- 
] oration. Mr. Nathan Carpenter carried this petition, signed by 
seventeen residents, to Paris, and sent it to Col. Foxcroft for him 
to approve and forward to Boston. I will read a copy of the 
],etition. 

"To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in Gen- 
eral Court assembled. A. D. 181 1: 

"We, your humble Petitioners, Inhabitants of township N, five, 
Seventh Range of Townships North of the \\^aldo Patent. County 
of Hancock and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Humbly shows 
that we labor under disadvantages by reason of living in an unin- 
corporated Plan., the most essential one a w-ant of Roards. schools, 
and many other difficulties incident to new countries, but needless 
to mention to your Honors. 

"We therefore pray your honors to incorporate us into a town 
that we may have some way to remedy (in a measure) the diffi- 
culties that attend us. It is our unanimous wish to be incorporated 
into a Town by the name of Foxcroft — as in duty l^ound will ever 
pray." 

(Signed) Eleazer Spauldin. Joel Pratt. Benj. Kittredee. George 
Harvey, Jeremiah Rolf. Joseph Morse. John Spauldin, John Coxe. 
Jesse Washburn, Met. Towne, Samuel Chamberlain. Nath'l Buck, 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FOXCROFT, MAINE 67 



Junr., John Bradbury, Nathan Carpenter, Daniel Buck, Wm. Buck, 
Wm. Thayer. 

Two years L^ter, Feb. 29, 181 2, this petition was granted, and 
I'oxcroft became a legally incorporated town, being the second in 
what is now Piscataquis County, — Sebec being the first and just 
one day older. The final form of the Bill of Incorporation as if 
was approved in the Massachusetts Council Chamber, is as follows : 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

In the Year of Our Lord, One thousand, eight hundred and twelve. 
AN ACT to establish the town of Foxcroft, in the County of Han- 
cock. 

Section i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of 
the same, that the township numbered five in the seventh range, 
North of the Waldo Patent, in the county of Hancock, be, and 
liereby is established as a town by the name of Foxcroft, and by 
the following boundaries, viz.. East by the township number four 
in the same range. South by the river Piscataquis. W'est by number 
six in the same range. North by number seven in the eighth range. 
And the said town of Foxcroft is hereby vested with all the cor- 
porate powers and privileges, and subjected to the like duties and 
requisitions of other towns, according to the Constitution and Laws 
of this Commonwealth. 

Section 2. And be it further enacted that any Justice of the 
Peace for the County of Hancock, is hereby authorized, upon appli- 
cation therefor, to issue a warrant, directed to a freeholder and 
inhabitant of the said town of Foxcroft, requiring him to notify and 
warn the inhabitants thereof, to meet at such convenient time and 
place, as shall be expressed in said warrant, for the choice of such 
officers as towns are by law required to choose, at their annual 
town meetings. 

In the House of Representatives, Feb. 29, 1812. 

This Bill having had three several readings passed to be enacted. 

E. W. Ripley, Speaker. 

In Senate, February 29th, 1812. 

This bill having had two several readings passed to be. enacted. 

Samuel Dana, President. 
Council Chamber, 
29th Februarv, 18 12. 

Approved. E. Gerry. 



SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



At the time of Incorporation Foxcroft was as will have been 
noted, part of Hancock County. Piscataquis County itself was not 
incorporated until 1838. It contains more than one hundred full 
townships, with an area of 3780 square miles. 

Foxcroft's first town-meeting was held on Aug. 31, 1812. I will 
read the warrant, as it was posted. 

"To Samuel Chamberlain, one of the freeholders and inhabitants 
of the town of Foxcroft, County of Hancock, 
Greeting : 

You are hereby required in the name of the commonwealth of 
Massachusetts to notify and warn the inhabitants of the aforesaid 
town, cpalified to vote in town-meeting, to meet at the Dwelling 
House of Mr. Gilman Greeley, on Monday, the thirty-first day of 
the present month, at one o'clock in the afternoon, then and there 
to act on the following articles, viz. : 

1st, to choose a moderator to govern said meeting. 

2d, to choose a town clerk. 

3rd, to choose three or more selectmen. 

4th, to choose three or more assessors. 

5th to choose a treasurer. 

6th, to choose a collector. 

/th. to choose a constable. 

8th, to choose what other officers thought necessary. 

9th, to act vipon all other necessary business. 

And you are to make returns of this warrant and vour doing 
thereon on or before the said 31st instant. 

Hereby fail not. 

Given under my hand and seal at Plantation No. 3, range sixth, 
this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and twelve. 

Nath'l Chamberlain, 

Justice Peace. 

A true copy. 
Attest : John Bradbury, 

Town Clerk. 

Some of the officers chosen at that first town-meeting were: 
Joel Pratt; Moderator ; John Bradbury, Clerk ; Joel Pratt, Samuel 
Chamberlain, William Thayer, Selectmen ; Nathan Carpenter, 
Treasurer. About every voter in town had an office. The collector- 
ship was given to Nathaniel Buck for three-fourths of a mill on 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FOXCROFT, MAINE 69 



a dollar. At the annual town-meeting the next year, $150 was 
raised for the support of schools; and it was voted to build a town- 
house, 20 by 25 feet. One hundred dollars was voted as a sufficient 
sum to build this house. It was located near the place where W. J. 
Eldridge now lives. This same year it was "voted to accept one- 
half acre of land for a burying ground, laying on the south side of 
the road running northerly from the mill, about seventy rods from 
the corner of the road near Greeley's Mills.'* This location was at 
the junction of Main and Green streets. The yard was removed 
about 1854. Conveniences in the homes of these first settlers were 
extremely limited. One family of four daughters had only one 
needle. A frequent inquiry was, "Where is the needle?"' An 
incident that may be recalled by some of the older residents belonged 
to this period. The Spauldings owned some steers, which in play- 
ing around an iron kettle used for washing purposes on the river 
bank, got their horns entangled, and, in trying to get away, pushed 
themselves into the river and were drowned. In 181 2, a whiskey 
distillery was erected near the present site of Merrill's blacksmith 
shop in the village, and A. Blake began the making of potato whis- 
key. This gave a market for the farmer surplus potatoes ; but it 
could hardly be called a worthy adjunct to the town. It did not pay 
either, and after a few years its fires died out. The building, known 
as "the old still house,'' was used for other purposes until destroyed 
by fire in 1830. In 1813, John Bradbury built a store, the first in 
town, on the corner now occupied by the Blethen block. The 
luiilding was afterwards moved away to the corner of North and 
Summer streets. In 1816, Samuel Beal started a tannery, which 
was on the river bank between Clark and Thayer's saw-mill and 
Curtis and Robinson's harness shop. 

On Sept. 2. 1816. the town voted. 15 to 5, in favor of separation 
from Massachusetts ; and three years later, when the matter came 
up again, the vote was 19 to i in favor of separation. In 1820, 
there were forty voters in town, and the first Governor of the 
State, William King, received 30 votes. 

Samuel Chamberlain was elected a delegate to the Convention to 
frame a constitution for the new State; and John Bradbury was 
Representative to the first Legislature in 1820, and also in 1821. 
In 1819, the town voted to raise Si 50 to build a bridge across the 
Piscataquis River and $500 more to be paid in labor. During this 
and the following year a substantial bridge was built and soon paid 
for by taxes, labor and grain. 



yo SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Previous to the incorporation of the town, Col. Foxcroft visited 
the rising settlement on business, and, though not himself a pro- 
fessor of religion, advised the people to hold meetings on Sunday 
and conduct them as they could. This proposal was readily ac- 
cepted, and the first meeting was held at the house of Eli Towne. 
Mr. William Mitchell, an old school-master, led the service, but 
no one was found to pray until Mrs. Mitchell consented to do so ; 
and the Piscataquis settlement was devoutly dedicated to God by a 
woman's public prayer. In 1814. Mrs. Nathan Carpenter and Mrs. 
William Mitchell united with the church in Garland, then consisting 
of nine women and two men. These two women constituted the 
nucleus of the Congregational church of Foxcroft and Dover. 
Meetings were for a time held in the log house of Abel Turner 
and later in another log house. Here on Sundays Joel Pratt read 
the sermon and Deacon Carpenter read the Scriptures and offered 
prayer. As the cold weather came on and the snow became deep, 
those living at a distance could not come and the attendance dwin- 
dled to tw^o, who came one Sunday morning and found the place 
cold and deserted. They remained through the day, despondent 
and dejected, but finally decided to make it the subject of prayer, 
and if no one came the next Sabbath they would give up. The next 
Sabbath came, the house was warm and well filled, and they took 
fresh courage. Subsequently the place of meeting was changed to 
the small town-house, standing, as I have said, on the lot where W. 
J. Eldridge's house is now situated. Occasionally, Rev. John 
Sawyer of Garland would visit the settlement and preach for the 
people. The Sabbath-school was organized in 181 5 by Mrs. Car- 
penter, and is supposed to be the first in the county. 

July 13, 1822, the town voted "to settle the Rev. Thomas Williams 
as our town minister on the following conditions, viz., that he is 
to have the public lands reserved for the first settled minister in 
Foxcroft. He is likewise to have the privilege of being absent one- 
third part of the time." Jan. i, 1823, Mr. Williams was installed 
as pastor of this church, and the minutes of the installing Council 
are in the town records, signed by the town clerk. Quite a number 
of other ministers attended this installation, and so large an 
assembly was attracted, that the old schoolhouse w^ould not hold 
all of the people, so Blake's "still house" was fitted up for the 
occasion. 

Rev. Thomas Williams, long a prominent and influential citizen 
of Foxcroft, lived in a house on Park street, on the lot now occupied 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FOXCROFT, MAINE 71 

by Mr. Chandler. Dec. 30, 1822, Mr. Williams, with the help of 
Rev. John Sawyer, organized eighteen members who had been dis- 
missed from the church at Garland into what was called the Con- 
gregational Church of Foxcroft and Vicinity. Until the organiza- 
tion of the Christian Scientists a number of years ago, this was 
the only church in town. The first church edifice, erected in 1824, 
on the spot now occupied by Mr. Elbridge Libby on Lincoln street, 
was destroyed by fire Jan. 15, 1835, the day following its dedica- 
tion. The members of the church were about to celebrate the Lord's 
Supper, when the house took fire. The weather was extremely 
cold, and the stoves, standing in the entry at the north end, were 
kept intensely hot, communicating fire to the partition. The wind 
drove the flames directly up into the belfry ; it was impossible to 
save the building and it was soon laid in ruins. 




Centennial Decorations. 



The second meeting-house , built in the summer of 1835, stood on 
the lot on North street, where Mr. Charles L. Merrill now lives. 
This, too, was destroyed by fire. Oct. 21. 1850. After the burning 
of this church services were held for a while in the Academy. The 
present house of worship was built during the summer of 185 1 
and dedicated Oct. 22 of the same year. The present chapel was 
erected in 1875 and was largely the gift of Deacon J. G. Mayo. 
During the pastorate of Rev. H. A. Loring (i875-'8o) the meet- 



72 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



ing-house was extensively repaired, its seating capacity increased 
and a steeple erected, in which a town-clock was placed. 

Previous to 1822, there has been no schools above the grammar 
grades, but this year, Mr. J. S. Holmes, a graduate of Brown Uni- 
versity, opened at Foxcroft the first law office in the county, and 
being deeply interested in education, organized a high school in 
the village and was its first principal. A charter for an Academy 
was granted Jan. 31, 1823. and Foxcroft Academy then became 
the first incorporated school of this sort in the State, and lacked 
only three years of being as old as the State itself. The school has 
been, all through its history, as is stated in the act of incorporation, 
"for the promotion of literature, science, morality, and piety." The 
proprietor of the town gave $50 toward the Academy's endowment, 
^[he site was a "half acre of land lying between the house of 
David Greeley, Esq., and his saw-mill ; and here a building was 
erected and ready for occupany in 1825. The Academy soon at- 
tracted students from the surrounding towns. Twenty years after 
its incorporation, it had considerably over a hundred pupils. In 
1859, t'^c fi^st Academy building was moved to the north end of 
Foxcroft bridge, on the east side of Main street. In 1891, the 
building which replaced the first was repaired and remodeled, and 
in 1904, through the help of large gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Josiah 
P. Mayo, was greatly enlarged and remodeled. 

With the high school scholars of Dover uniting with those of 
Foxcroft and other towns, the Academy has become one of the 
finest fitting schools in the State. The first Principal was James 
Gooch, A. B., of North Yarmouth. In 1825, half a township of 
land was granted by the Legislature as an endowment, and this was 
soon, afterward sold for over three thousand dollars. 

As has been intimated before, the drinking of li(|uors was not 
uncommon in the early part of the last century. We find in the 
Foxcroft town records that on Feb. 3. 1829, "Josiah Spaulding of 
Dover was licensed as a retailer of spirituous liquors at his store 
in Foxcroft for the space of four months." Similar licenses were 
issued later to other individuals. There was however, quite a strong 
sentiment against this business; and in 1832. it Avas voted that "the 
selectmen should not grant license to retail spirituous liquors," yet 
for some reason or other one person was licensed that same year. 
At a considerably later date. Elder Bartlett owned and occupied a 
store at the end of the bridge, in what has been known as the Brock- 
way Block. He always sold liquors ; and his son said his father 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FOXCROFT, MAINE -jz 

"sold large quantities of the Piscataquis river." The story is told 
of two neighbors, both of whom had been drinking and quite 
unsteady on their feet, who were walking up the street together, 
when one remarked that he would not be seen walking with a drink- 
ing man, and managed with difficulty to get himself into a near-by 
yard. The first temperance society, a branch of "The Sons of Tem- 
perance," was organized in the hall of the old Exchange in 1844 
b} a Mr. Dockham, who at that time was settled here as a tailor. 

Every year from the beginning of the town's existence liberal 
provision was made for the poor. For the greater part of the time 
they were boarded in difi'erent families. For instance, in 1833, 
it was voted "to set up Elisha Gibbs.anrl his wife at auction to the 
lowest bidder." "After several bids," — and these are the words of 
the record, — "Elisha Gibbs and wife were struck to Silas Paul for 
the sum of forty-seven dollars and fifty cents for one year, to be 
maintained free of any expense to the town during said time." 
Evidently the "high cost of living" was no problem in those days 
as it is now. For some years the town maintained a poor farm 
which was on the shore of Sebec Lake near Steadman's Landing. 

In the Act of Incorporation of Piscataquis County, approved 
March 2-^. 1838, it was enacted that the town of Dover should be 
the shire town of the county. There was considerable rivalry be- 
tween Dover and Foxcroft, as to which should be the shire town. 
By a bill passed in the Legislature of 1841, the question was referred 
for final settlement to a vote of all the towns in the county. Feeling 
ran high, and when the votes were counted, on the second Monday 
of September, 1841, it was found that Dover had received 1097 to 
Foxcroft 1067. The vote not being decisive, the matter was again 
submitted to the people in 1842, and the result was that Dover 
received 1138 votes, Guilford standing next with 784 and Foxcroft 
third with 311. Foxcroft's records give the vote of Foxcroft at 
that time as 114 for Foxcroft, 33 for Dover, and one for Bower- 
bank. 

The industrial development of Foxcroft is a most interesting 
chapter in its history. In 1820, the old mill built by the Spauldings 
was taken down by Daniel Greeley and replaced by a large saw and 
grist-mill. This was on the north side of the river near the site of 
the extension of Mayo's woolen mill. Two years later a mill for 
cloth dressing and carding was erected near by. This was first put 
in operation by Mr. E. R. Favor, but was not long after conveyed 
to John Bradburv, who in 1826 combined this business with that 



74 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



of a saw-mill, which he erected on the southern end of the dam. 
This whole business was bought by Vaughan and Brown and when 
they started their factory in 1836 in Dover, they in turn sold out 
to Messrs. Jordan and Crockett, who kept up the business for many 
years. Deacon L. O. Farnham's tannery was also in operation 
about this time, a building which was twice burned and twice re- 
built. A fork and hoe factory, constructed of brick, was erected 
by Maj. J. Crooker and was operated for several years. In 1844, 
Hon. J. G. Mayo came to Foxcroft, and together with James Bush 
and E. J. Hale, bought the privilege for a woolen factory of 
Vaughan, Bush, and the Chamberlains, and erected a mill on the 
northern side of the river. Not long after, Mr. Mayo became the 
sole owner, and eventually secured control of one-half the water 
power, — associating with him in the business his son, Josiah B. 
Mayo, under the partnership title of J. G. Mayo and Son. In 
1859, the upper story of the mill was destroyed by fire, but was 
rebuilt at once and another story added. Since that time the busi- 
ness has steadily increased, the mills have been enlarged and im- 
proved, and a few years ago a splendid reinforced concrete build- 
ing was added to the plant. At present the mill gives employment 
to over one hundred men and women. 

The waters of the Piscataquis river have occasionally been quite 
turburlent. Heavy freshets have done great damage from time 
to time. The freshets of 1854 and 1857 will always be remem- 
bered by those who witnessed them. Both swept away the Foxcroft 
bridge. The freshet of April 7, 1857, as related by an eye-witness, 
was caused by a jam formed at the island. It came down to what 
was then called "Goose I,sland" and rested there. For some time 
small cakes of ice were seen coming up from under the main body 
of ice. The tremendous weight of water finally pressed the whole 
body of ice across the cove and over South street, undermining the 
brick hoe and fork factory and carrying away also the grist-mill, 
then situated above Mayo's woolen mill. The bridge was taken 
and much more damage done. At this time a boy, living about 
three miles above Foxcroft, in some way got afloat on some drift- 
wood, passed down the river, and was captured by his father shortly 
before he reached the dam. Soon after this great freshet the cov- 
ered bridge was built, last year replaced by the splendid concrete 
structure. For a long time a boat and rope were used by passengers 
while the bridge was being constructed or repaired. Rather than 
go across on this boat, one clear-brained young woman walked 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FOXCROFT, MAINE 75 

across on a girder of the bridge then being built and carried her 
small child on her back. 

Previous to 1870 a spool factory had been established in Fox- 
croft, and that year it was bought by L. H. Dwelley & Co., which 
company also increased their business by purchasing and operating 
the saw-mill built first by Andrew Blethen at Greeley's Landmg, 
Sebec Lake. This spool factory was burned in 1877, but was soon 
rebuilt, this time of brick; and since that time, under the able man- 
agement, first of Mr. Dwelley and later of the McGregors, father 
and son, the business has largely increased and gives employment 
to many hands throughout the year. 

In February, 1866, Thomas F. Dyer came from New Sharon, and 
together with John F. Hughes, who came the previous year, pur- 
chased the interest of Jordan and Carr in the building at the north 
end of Foxcroft bridge, formerly the old Academy building, now 
occupied by Thomas & Weatherbee. They remained here one year. 
In the summer of 1867, the Foxcroft Foundry Co. erected the build- 
ing, now occupied by J. H. Steward and Son, which they leased 
lor five years. In 1872 they built the store on Lincoln street now 
occupied by Sanford Ritchie, remaining there until 1885, when 
they sold their grocery and hardware business and devoted their time 
to manufacturing. Soon after coming to Foxcroft, Mr. Dyer, who 
had formerly worked at the organ business, commenced the manu- 
facture of organs and melodeons in a building which stood where 
the Gilman & Co. mill now stands, working alone most of the time 
for the first year. Meeting with much encouragement. Dyer and 
Plughes built a small mill on Mechanic street in 1869. where they 
added to their business as it expanded year by year, until 1889, 
when they began the manufacture of pianos, and erected the pres- 
ent factory. In 1894 Mr. Dyer retired from the firm, transferring 
his interest to Mr. Hughes, who now operates it with his son under 
the name of Hughes and Son. A good number of expert work- 
men are employed and a very fine grade of piano is manufactured. 

Mr. Reuben D. Gilman, who died a few years ago, was for many 
years a well-known and successful business man in this town. In 
1854. returning from an extended stay in California, he purchased 
the lumber mill now run by Clark and Thayer and operated it for 
nearly half a century. Besides this business he was also extensively 
engaged in lumbering and agriculture. 

Cushing's Perfection Dye Works was started in 1881 by Mr. 
Wainwright Gushing, who later associated with himself his son. 



76 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



C. H. Gushing. The present factory, lOO by 60 feet, was erected 
in 1892, and for twenty years a large manufacture and trade in 
high-grade dyes have been built up, packages being sent all over the 
United States and to foreign countries. 

The H. J. Dexter \\'ood-Working Gompany, established in 1886, 
was a successful business plant up to three years ago, when it was 
almost entirely destroyed by tire. Since then it has not been rebuilt. 

Until about 1850, there were no bands from the present day 
standpoint, in any of the small towns in this and adjoining states. 
Previous to that time the music furnished at musters and parades 
was the fife and drum, and occasionally a clarinet and key-bugle 
were added. The first organization that was formed in Foxcroft, 
as I am told by Mr. Thomas Dyer, was Hale's band, organized in 
1858. and was in existence five years. The members of the band 
were: E. J. Hale, Damon and Albion Brockway, Gilbert, Ghandler, 
Fred Kimball, Will and Bert Haskell, George Golcord, Frank 
Lougee, Henry Warren, Nathan McKusick, William Waterman. 
Frank Good, Sewall Shaw. Joe Porter and a Mr. Sanborn. In 
1867, Major McKusick. who was a veteran of the Givil War. 
returned to Foxcroft and soon after formed a "Drum Gorps." 
known as "The McKusick Drum Gorps.'' This organization was 
composed of some eighteen or twenty men. but only the following 
names can be recalled : Nathan McGusick, James T. Roberts, 
Thomas P. Elliott. Isaac, George, and Joseph Golcord. Tim Lougee, 
AA'illiam \\'aterman. James Bush, Austin Pratt and Gharles Sher- 
burne. This Gorps served until after the Presidential campaign of 
1872. when they did valiant service. Dyer's band was organized 
April 3, 1875, at a meeting held at Temperance Hall, with the 
following officers : William W. Miller. President ; Fred D. Bar- 
rows, Secretary. William Brown, Treasurer. Members : Thomas 
F. Dyer. W^ill W. Dow, W. W. ^liller, Fred D. Barrows. Geo. E. 
Mitchell, Thos. P. Elliott, Stacy. Wooster and Gharles H. Mans- 
field, James T. Roberts, Ben Vaughan, Arthur S. Brown. Sewall G. 
Shaw, William H. Waterman, Gharles Dow and George H. Jennison. 
They met for practise and rehearsal the following summer in a 
room in the organ factory. Their first public appearance was in 
September to serenade Senator-elect. S. O. Brown. Later they 
added to their membership until the band numbered twenty-four. 
This organization lasted for twenty years, when it disbanded, leav- 
ing behind this record: in all its life and its many public engage- 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FOXCROFT, MAINE jj 



ments, it never had a member under the influence of Hciuor while 
on duty. 

About twenty years ago, a drum corps was formed by some 
young men of the town, in connection with The Sons of Veterans. 
This organization was disbanded two years later. 

The first Post-master of this town was John Bradbury, who held 
office from June 19, 1821 to July 29, 1833. He was followed by 
these individuals who are named in the order of their service: R. 
K. Rice, Moses Swett, George V. Edes. Melvin Stevens, Moses 
Swett, Hiram Doughty, D. D. Vaughan, William Paine, O. E. 
C'rooker, Jonathan Roberts, J. D. Brown, James M. Weymouth, 
H. C. Prentiss, John F. Arnold, C. S. Ham, G. L. Arnold, A. P. 
Buck, Grace W. Buck, and Edward B Buck. Of these, Mr. Pren- 
tiss held the office for the longest period, over twenty- four years, 
from March 19, 1861 to Aug. 3, 1885. The last three incumbents 
have held the office since 1898, Mr^ A. P. Buck holding it two years, 
his daughter four years, and his son, since 1904. 

Among the important characters in the early history of Fox- 
croft should be mentioned the town's first lawyer, Mr. J. S. Holmes. 
He was, as I have said, a graduate of Brown University, Principal 
of the first High School in town, and an able and influential man 
in all town affairs. Pie was a brother of Cyrus and Salmon Holmes 
who came to Foxcroft in 1818. For a while he was a law* partner 
of Hon. J. S. Wiley, who was at one time a Representative to Con- 
gress from this district. The story is told of Esquire Holmes that, 
at one time, in trimming trees, he sawed ofif the limb on Avhich he 
was sitting, letting himself heavily to the groimd. Getting up and 
shaking himself, he expressed in vigorous and emphatic language, 
his opinion of the man who sawed ofif that limb. In 1838, George 
\ . Edes came to Foxcroft. He was a printer by trade and camt- 
from a race of printers, his great uncle, Benjamin Edes. with John 
Gill having published the Boston Gazette during the Revolution ; 
and another uncle w^as active in the publishing btisiness in Rhode 
Island and Maine. George V . learned the trade with his uncle 
Peter in Hallowell. Going from there to Norridgewock in 1823, 
he published the Somerset Journal for fifteen years, when he came 
to Dover and started the Piscataquis Herald, the name of which 
was afterward changed to the Farmer, and then to the Observer. 
.After a brief residence in Dover, he moved to Foxcroft, where h*" 
resided until his death in 1875. Mr. Edes' first printing was done 
with considerable difficulty, with a Franklin hand press, and, as 



78 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



he had very Httle help, the work was often arduous in the extreme. 
His pay came from ahiiost everything the surrounding farms pro- 
duced. In 1839, J- S. Wiley, Moses Swett, A. M. Robinson and 
others started "The Democrat-Republican," which for a while com- 
peted with the Observer ; but it was not a financial success ; and 
in 1843, Mr. Edes purchased the whole outfit, and no further effort 
was made to establish another newspaper. In company with his 
sons Mr. Edes continued in business for many years. It has been 
stated on good authority that the first type set in the county was 
set by him in a building then located near Mayo and Sons' office 
in the village. 

It is not my purpose to enter largely into the biography of the 
prominent men and women who have made large contributions 
toward the progress of our town. The lives of some of them will 
be quite fully treated in papers that are to follow. Before closing 
this section of my address, however, I wish to pay tribute to the 
late John G. Mayo and his descendants, who have done so much 
for the business, educational and religious advancement of Foxcroft. 
The Congregational church owes much to the benefactions of the 
elder Mr. Mayo ; and the church and the Academy, as well as many 
other worthy objects have been largely aided by the benevolent- 
minded family. The good of the church ^tnd the school was upper- 
most in the thought of Mrs. Josiah B. Mayo, who went to her 
reward a few years ago ; and her husband and husband's brother, 
though far advanced in years, are still actively interested in all that 
makes for the welfare of the town. 

Previous to 1869, Dover and Foxcroft had no railway facilities. 
If one wished to take the train he was obliged to go by stage to 
Newport ; and for a long time, before Waterville and Bangor 
were connected by railway, a stage was run all the way to Water- 
ville. In 1869, the Bangor and Piscataquis Railroad, now the 
Bangor and Aroostook, reached Dover. Foxcroft subscribed 
largely to its stock. At first, over $17,000 was subscribed, and 
later, v$i 1,000 more. The first train reached Dover, Dec. 16, 1869. 
In 1 871, the road was extended to Guilford, and eight years later 
it had reached Greenville. The building of the Dexter and Piscata- 
f|uis branch of the Maine Central, 'brought through to Foxcroft in 
1888, was a very great benefit to this town. The road could not have 
been built, had it not been for the untiring efforts of Col. Joseph 
B. Peaks, J. B. Mayo, S. O. Brown, and a few others. With the 



HISTORICAL SKETCH OF FOXCROFT, MAINE 79 



completion of this road, our mail, express, freight, and passenger 
service improved greatly. The first telegraph instrument was 
installed in Foxcroft post-office Aug. 4. 1873 and was operated by 
Mr. H. C. Prentiss, then postmaster. The office was at that time, 
as it was for many years located in the center of the Hale Block. 
Foxcroft began to be lighted by electricity in 1891, when the original 
plant of the D. & F. Light and Heat Company was installed. The 
water-power at East Dover was bought in 1895, ^^^ '^ very efficient 
system of electric lighting has been maintained ever since. Before 
this improvement, the streets were lighted by kerosene lamps set 
on poles. The present water system was established in 1887, and 
the telephone company was organized a few years later. In case 
of fire, previous to 1887, water had to be taken from cisterns, reser- 
voirs, wells, brooks, or. if it was near enough, from the river. 




The Oldest House in Foxcroft. 
No. 86 North St. Built by Andrew Blethen, 1818. 



A comparison between the conditions existing in the earlier days 
of Foxcroft's history and those existing today is interesting and 
instructive. Before the fifties there was only one dwelling-house 
on the north side of Main street above the old Holmes place now- 
occupied by Dr. C. C. Hall, Jr. That house was owned by Dr. 
Laughton, and is now owned by Mr. S. A. Annis. All the land 
was farms owned by Mr. Holmes, the Greeley heirs, and Mr. Paul 
as far as Dr. Tucker's, where Mr. Oakes now lives. These farms 
furnished pasturing, and nearly every family kept one or more 



8o SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL . OF MAINE HISTORY 



cows, so most of the dwellings were enclosed by high picket fences. 
The old part of the Exchange was the first public house. Before 
the railroad came there was much teaming from the up-river towns 
to I)angor, and a daily stage, one day up, the next back, making 
business for the inns. The old Favor House in Dover was the only 
other hotel until the Blethen House was opened. Before the Ex- 
change was built where the main part of the buliding now stands, 
was a small office occupied by J. S. Holmes. This was burned, 
and with it may of the town records. On the south side of Main 
street, before the fifties there was no dwelling above that owned by 
Mrs. Lewis Bryant. Above this, as has been stated, the first burial 
ground was located. Where the church and chapel now stand were 
two cottages, one among the first in town, and for many years occu- 
pied by the family of Daniel Greeley. This was surrounded by a 
board fence. In the corner, next to Mr. Weatherbee's was a deep, 
abandoned well, enclosed by a curb, now covered and under the 
driveway to the church sheds. Ann Greeley, aged between three 
and four years, fell into this well, was taken out unconscious, and 
did not recover for twelve hours. Her first words were, "O pa, I 
drank a lot of that dirty water !" There was a place on the south 
side of the river, near the Dover House, where horses could be 
driven, to be watered. At one time, probably in the year 1840, a 
Mr. Crocker, who was riding in a two-wheeled chaise, drove down 
to this watering-place. His horse got in too far ; the chaise was 
upset : the horse was drowned, and Mr. Crocker narorwly escaped 
with his life. Aside from Main street, probably North, Lincoln 
and Park streets are the oldest in town. North street was laid out 
very early as far as GofT's Corner ; but it was not until the early 
seventies that it was put through to the Lake. Dr. Henry, father of 
Leonard Robinson, who was a dentist and had an office, in the second 
story of the building now occupied by his son, named all the streets 
in town. He had signs painted at his own expense and put up at 
all the corners. Only a few of these signs are now in existence. 
Deacon H. C. Prentiss' father worked in a joiner's shop over where 
Curtis and Robinson are now located. He built a schoolhouse on 
North street, on the site of the present home of Mrs. Julia Vaughan. 
When the Foxcroft Grammar school l)uilding was erected in 1873, 
the land where it stands was exchanged for the old site by Mr. B. 
I>. Vaughan, who was a trader and prominent citizen in town for 
many vears. Previous to the Intilding of the Congregational chapel, 
a store, kept by E. D. Wade, was located on its site. 



FOXCROFT IN THE CIVIL WAR 



These are only a few of the changes in outward appearance which 
have taken place in a century. It will be seen that none are now 
living who were alive when this town was incorporated. All honor 
to those sturdy pioneers who laid so nobly and well the foundations 
of our beautiful town. Though they have passed from earth, they 
are still calling upon us to walk worthily, cherishing their memories 
and imitating their virtues, yiay the historian of a hundred years 
hence be able to chronicle in a far better manner than I have done, 
the deeds of his fathers; and may he find inspiration in our lives, 
and a record worthy of those who have preceded us. 



Foxcroft in The Civil War 

By Hon. W'atxwright Cushixg. 

Foxcroft was ever a loyal and patriotic town, and when repeated 
calls came from President Lincoln for men to go Southward to aid 
in surpressing the rebellion it sent forward its bravest and best. 

The total number of men that were furnished to these repeatefl 
calls was 135, and in addition to which at least twelve residents of 
Foxcroft served on the quotas of other states. In all probability 
there were other residents of the town temporarily absent who 
entered the L'nion service of whom no record can be found. \A'hen 
President Lincoln issued his first call for 75,000 men there was a 
general uprising all over the loyal North. I can give no better 
illustration of the patriotic fervor that animated the boys of '61 in 
the Piscataquis valley than by quoting from Col. Charles A. ClarTv's 
admirable paper entitled "Campaigning with the Sixth Maine" read 
before the Iowa Commandery Loyal Legion of the United States. 
"On the 24th of April, 1861, I piled up my Greek and Latin books 
and enlisted. My fellow students very generally did the same. 
The classes in the old Foxcroft Academy were broken up. For ten 
days our recitations were a farce. When the news of the firing on 
I'^ort Sumpter came we went to Col. Paul's woods by night and 
felled two of his tallest pines. We hauled them by hand to the 
Academy grounds and all night long we wrought to splice and raise 
them. This made a liberty pole for that town for the war, and 
with the first gleam of dawn in the east we run up the stars and 
stripes with hurrahs which awakened the sober citizens. On that 



82 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



very spot now stands a beautiful monument surmounted by a granite 
statue of an American soldier with arms at parade rest, forever tell- 
ing of my comrades of that night who sealed with death their devo- 
tion to the cause for which our hearts then throbbed so hotly. I 
tossed a coin with Gray my chum and room mate to determine who 
should have the honor of placing his name at the head of the first 
enlistment roll of Piscataquis county in that mighty war. and I won 
first place. His name followed mine and as Captain of Co. A, he 
died like a hero in our charge upon Mayre's Heights at Fredericks- 
burg, Va., in May, 1863." 

First Company Raised. 

The first company raised in Dover and Foxcroft was recruited 
by Charles H. Chandler, Addison P. Buck and Charles Kimball. 
This company later was merged with the Brownville Rifles and 
became Co. A, 6th Me. Vol's. The 6th Me. Regt. was mustered into 
the U. S. service July, 1861, and formed a part of the Army of the 
Potomac and was in nearly every battle in which that grand armv 
had a part. Recruits from Foxcroft who served in the 6th Maine 
Vol's : 

Charles H. Chandler, mustered as ist Lieut. Co. A., promoted 
to Capt. and Lieut. Col. Died in Seattle, Wash. 

Addison P Buck, mustered as 26. Lieut, promoted to ist Lieut, 
and Quartermaster. Served on the staff of Maj. Gen. Sedgwick of 
the 6th Corps, as Chief Forage Master, was serving his second term 
as Postmaster of Foxcroft when he was finally mustered out. 
Edward L. Emery, Sergt. Co. A was a resident of Foxcroft at the 
tiipe of his decease. 

Oliver L. Brown, Corp'l Co. A, afterwards served as Sergt. in 
the 13th Maine. Died in Auburn, Maine. 

James S. Holmes, Corp'l Co. A. promoted to Principal Musician. 
He was a son of James Holmes the leading legal light in Foxcroft 
before the war, and has joined the silent majority. 

W^ellington Besse, Private. Discharged for disability. Deceased. 

Newton Blanchard, private, was severely wounded and dis- 
cliarged. A resident of Abbot at the time of decease. 

Otis Chamberlain, private, discharged for disability. At the time 
of his decease was Ass't Engineer in the \J. S. Navy. 

Franklin H. Daggett, private, discharged for disability, deceased. 

Geo. \\\ Dawes, private, was killed at Spottsylvania. C. H., May 
Toth. 1864. 



FOXCROFT IN THE CIVIL WAR 



Charles E. Edes, Corporal, .was transferred to the Navy. Com- 
rade Edes had the honor of having served under Commodore Perry 
in Japan prior to the war. At his decease was living with his 
brother, S. D. Edes. 

Hiram F. Lebroke, private, was wounded at Mayre's Heights and 
died from the effects of his wounds. 

Joseph D. Mansfield, private, afterwards served in the i6th 
Maine. Was a resident of Worcester at the time of his death. 

Ichabod Macomber, private, discharged for disability, deceased. 

Fernando G. Pratt, private, served his full term of enlistment. 
Was a resident of Foxcroft until his decease March ii. lyii. 

Fred E. Plummer, private, served his term, disappeared on his 
way home and was last seen in New York city. 

William G. Sewell, private, lived in Fresno, Calif., passed away 
May, 1912. 

Rufus G. Chase, private Co. A. Joined regiment Dec. 4, 1861. 
Killed at the charge at Spottsylvania Court House. Va., May 10, 
1864. Comrade Chase was a devout Christian. 

Thomas M. Chase, private, discharged for disability. When last 
known was living in New Hampshire. 

Dr. William Buck, appointed Ass't Surgeon 6th Maine Vols. 
Promoted to Surgeon. He served in the Maine Legislature and 
filled many offices of trust in town. Pie was a faithful, conscien- 
tious physician, and at his decease was sincerely mourned by his 
townsmen. 

Dr. Freeland S. Holmes, a son of Salmon P. Holmes. Esq., one 
of the early settlers of Foxcroft. He was commissioned Surgeon 
of the 6th Maine. His wife was a sister of the War Governor of 
Maine. Israel Washburn. Jr. Dr. Holmes died in the service, and 
was succeeded by Dr. \\'m. Buck. 

Geo. T. Holmes joined the 6th Maine Reg't at Hos])ital Steward, 
serving with his brother. Dr. Holmes, and with Dr. Buck, deceased. 

First Maine Cav.alry. 

The next regiment to enter the service with members from Fox- 
croft was the ist Maine Cavalry, which was mustered into service 
Dec. 31st, 1861. This regiment was in more battles and skirmishes 
than any other regiment in the Army of the Potomac. 

Charles S. Sturgis, Sergt. Col. M, discharged for disabilitv. He 
married a daughter of Col. Samuel Pillsbury and is a resident of 
Haverhill, Mass. 
3 



84 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Alonzo B. Briggs, private, Co. AI, discharged for disability, de- 
ceased. 

Henry D. Thayer, private Co. M. discharged for disabiHty, de- 
ceased. 

Cyrus M. Geary, private, Co. M. died from effects of wounds. 

Geo. W. Pkunmer, enhsted in D. C. Cavalry, transferred to ist 
Maine Cav. Now living in Dover. 

The 7th Maine Regt. was mustered into service Aug. 21st, 1861. 
It had a distinguished record in the Army of the Potomac. The 
only citizen of Foxcroft who served in this regiment was Henry F 
Daggett, who served in this regiment as Sergt. and Q. M. Sergt. 
Is now living in Milo. 

The 9th Maine Infantry was mustered into the service Sept. 226., 
1 86 1, and saw active and meritorious service in South Carolina and 
Virginia in the Army of the Potomac. 

Justin E. Batchelder. private, Co. D, 9th Maine, was severely 
wounded and lost an arm. Died in Barnard, Maine. 

Joseph Tucker, Co. D, wounded and transferred to Veteran Re- 
serve Corps. No record since the war. 

John A. Hoyt, private, Co. I, discharged at close of war, deceased. 

The 13TH Maixe Volunteers. 

The 13th Maine Volunteers was mustered into the U. S. service 
Dec. 4th, 1861. This regiment saw active service in the Dept. of 
the Gulf. Was in the Red River Campaign and at the siege of 
\''icksburg was transferred to the Army of the Potomac, where it 
did valiant duty under Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. 

Alfred E. Buck was commissioned Captain of Co. C, 13th Me., 
and was promoted to Colonel in a colored regiment. After the war 
he settled in Georgia, and was virtually at the head of the Repub- 
lican party in that state. Served in Congress and was U. S. Marshal 
for the northern district of Georgia, and at the time of his death 
was serving as U. S. Minister to Japan. 

Chas. M. Buck, Co. C, 13th Maine, served with credit, was always 
on duty. Resides at Dover. 

Chas. D. Labree, Co. C. Re-enlisted, transferred to Maine Vols. 
No record since the war. 

Harvey Judkins, Co. C. No record since the war. 

Cyril N. Walker, Co. C, deceased. 



FOXCROFT IX THE CIVIL WAR 85 

Thee 14TH Maine Infantry. 

The 14th Maine Infantry was mustered into U. S. service Dec. 
nth, 1861. Served in the Dept. of the Gulf and was transferred to 
the Army of the Potomac, where it distinguished itself in the 
Shenandoah Valley Campaign under Sheridan. 

Chas. E. Washburn, Co. C. Died in New Orleans, Oct. 14, 1862. 
Chauncey C. Lee. Corporal Co. E, 14th Maine Since the war has 
resided in Foxcroft for ^^y years. Has been a school teacher. For 
seven years he was an officer in the reserve militia of Maine. 

The i8th Maine, also known as the ist H. A., was mustered into 
the U. S. service Aug. 25th, 1862. Served in the defences of Wash- 
ington until May, 1864. Received their baptism of tire May i8th, 
1864, where the loss in killed and wounded was heavy. In Grant's 
famous campaign from the Wilderness to Petersburg the i8th 
Maine lost more men killed and wounded than any other regiment 
in the Army of the Potomac. 

Ervin Chamberlain, Co. E. Wounded May i8th, 1864. Lived in 
Lacrosse, Wis., after the war, where he served with his cousin, 
Isaac H. Moulton, Esq., as Ass't Station Agent, deceased. 

Thomas C). Eaton Sergt. Co. E. Now living in Montana. 

Charles Eaton, Corp'l Co. E. Went to state of Washington after 
the war. Now deceased. 

Leonard H. Washburn Co. E, was severely wounded and mus- 
tered out of the service. Resides in Foxcroft. 

Daniel V. Plummer, Co. F. transferred from 17th Maine. Now 
living in Williamsport, Penn. 

Lauriston C. Parsons, Co. E died of disease Feb. i6th, 1864. 

Stacy T. Mansfield, Co. H. Mustered as a recruit Dec. 9th, 1862. 
Is a resident of Foxcroft. 

Benjamin Weaver, Co H, wounded May i8th, 1864. No record 
since war. 

W^illiam W. Warren, Co. H. Joined as a recruit. Discharged 
for disability. Resides in Dover. 

Leonard W\ Lee, Co. H. ist H. A. Joined the regiment Dec. 4th, 
1 863. Killed in action in front of Petersburg June 18, 1864. At the 
time of his death was only 17 years of age. 

The 20TH Maine Inf.vntry. 

The 20th Maine Infantry was mustered into the \5. S. Service, 
Aug. 29th, 1862. Fresh from their homes they saw their first 



86 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



service under fire at Antietam and the record of the Army of the 
Potomac would be a history of the 20th Maine. At the battle of 
Gettysburg on Little Round Top they earned undying fame their 
thin line withstood the attack of three lines of battle. Phineas M. 
Jeffords, Capt. Co. B, resigned in 1863, went West after the war 
and settled in Illinois, where he died. His widow lives in Genoa, 
Ark. 

John S. Jennison, Sergt. Co. B. Died in the service, July 24th, 
1863. 

Cyrus G. Pratt, Sergt. Co. B. Discharged for disability in 1863. 
Resides in Foxcroft. 

Job S. Bearce, Co. B. Wounded. Discharged at completion of 
service. It a resident of Foxcroft. 

William C. Brown Corpl. Co. B. Served until the end of the 
war. Is now living in the state of Arkansas. 

Thomas Daggett, Co. B. Mustered out June 15, 1865. Resides 
in Foxcroft. Has been a prominent agriculturalist and for some 
years a member of the Maine Cattle Commission. 

Benj. R. Field, Co. B. Served his term of enlistment. No record 
since the war. 

Jared F. Millet, Co. B. Transferred to the Invalid Corps. Died 
in Foxcroft. 

Hudson S. Oakes, discharged with regiment. Lived in Foxcroft 
up to the time of his decease. 

Alonzo Z. Parsons, Co. B. Killed in action, May 6th, 1863. 

Randall H. Spaulding, Co. B. Mustered out at the expiration of 
his term of service. Deceased. 

Andrew C. Deering, Sergt. Co. C. Re-enlisted. Discharged June. 
1865. No record since the war. 

Wm. H. Jackson, Co. B. Joined the regiment as a recruit, Oct. 
2th, 1862. Discharged for disability. No further record. 

Wm. H. Jennison, Co. B. Discharged for disability. March T3th, 
1863. He re-enlisted and served as sergeant. Discharged June, 1865. 
Co. K, 31st Me. Comrade Jennison enjoys the unique distinction 
of being the oldest citizen of the town,. being in his 88th year, and 
is in possession of the Boston Post gold headed cane. 

Danville B. Oakes, Co. B. Discharged for disability, Jan. 3rd, 
1863. He was an honored citizen and passed away at the ripe old 
Bge of 83 years. 

Wm. Towne, Co. B. Discharged for disability. Was a resident 
of Dover at the time of his death 



FOXCROFT IN THE CIVIL WAR 87 

The 22D Maine. 

The 22d Maine was mustered into the U. S. Service, Oct. loth, 
1862, and for nine months served in the Dept of the Gulf. Was in 
the Red River campaign and at the siege of Port Hudson, where 
they were commended in General Orders. 

Gilman E. Fisher, Sergt. Co. I. Graduated from Colhy Univer- 
sity after the war ; has been prominent in educational matters, and 
is an authority on geography. He is now superintendent of schools 
in Detroit, Mich. 

Love H. Ball, Co. I. Died in service, March 15, 1863. 

Ebenezer Earl, Co. I. Served his term of enlistment. Deceased. 

Samuel R. Gary, Co. I. No record since the war. 

John H. Gould, Co. I. Son of Lincoln Gould. Died in Louisiana. 

B. F. Pratt. Co. I. Served his full term. He was an honored 
citizen and passed away in July, 1912. 

Edwin N. Pratt, Co. C. Served his term of enlistment and then 
re-enlisted in the i8th Maine. Died in the service. He was the 
only son of Roswell Pratt. 

The 31ST M.MNE. 

The 31st Maine Infantry was mustered into the service, April 
29th, 1864. They took an active part in the Wilderness campaign 
and in the final work about Petersburg, which resulted in the end 
of the war. Their loss in killed and wounded was greater than 
some of the three-year regiments. 

Joseph S. Harlow, Capt. Co. K. Mustered into service, April 
29th, 1864. Killed in action, Sept. 30th, 1864. 

Asa F. Davis, Sergt. Co. K. Discharged for disability. May 22d, 
1865. Was a respected citizen of Foxcroft for more than thirty 
years, until his death. 

Alanson BuUard, Co. K. Mustered into service, April 29. 1864. 
Killed in action. Oct. 4th, 1864. 

William C. Kenyon. Co. K. Served his term of enrollment. De- 
ceased. 

Coast Guard's Infantry. 

Lyman U. Lee went to Boston and enlisted in Co. M, 2d Mass. 
II. A.; went out as ist Sergt. and later was commissioned as a 
Lieut. JDy Gov. x-Vndrew and served during the war. He was present 
at the Foxcroft centennial. 



88 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Mellen G. Prentiss, Co. B. Served from January 6th, 1865, to 
May 15th, 1865. Resides in Brewer. 

James T. Roberts, musician, Co. F. Served from Jan. 6th, 1865 
to July 7th, 1865. Resides in Dover. 

Geo. F. Mayhew, Co. F. Served from Jan. 6th, 1865 to July 7th, 
1865. No further record. 

Aid furnished Soldiers Families from 1862 to 1865. 70 families, 
209 persons total amount $2,796.29. 

Total bounties paid by the town of Foxcroft during the war. 
$20,425.84. 

Contributions from citizens of Foxcroft to aid the Sanitary and 
Christian Commission $1200. cx). 

Drafted Sept. 24th, 1864 — Seth Brawn, furnished substitute; 
Alonzo H. Chandler, furnished substitute; Orin C. Dunham, fur- 
nished substitute ; Hiram S. Davis, furnished substitute ; Augustus 
W. Gilman, furnished substitute; Andrew J. Hammond, furnis'hed 
substitute ; Henry A. Robinson, furnished substitute. 

Drafted and held for service — -John S. Arnold, Co. E, 8th Maine ; 
Chas. V. Bolton. Co. C, 8th Me. ; Leonard F. Blood, 4th Co., un- 
assigned ; John P. Folsom, Co. C, 8th Maine; Isaac M. Parsons, Co. 
C, 8th Maine. 

Drafted March 25th, 1865 — John J. Bailey, furnished substitute; 
Augustus F. Chandler, furnished substitute. 

Drafted and held to service — Alfonso B. Cole, 14th Maine; 
Samuel FI. Gower, 14th Maine. 

The population of Foxcroft in i860 was 1102. It is estimated 
that one in five are liable to military duty, so that in the year 1861 
there were approximately 220 citizens w'ho could be called upon for 
military duty. The town of Foxcroft furnished 135 recruits during 
the Civil \A'ar or about 60 per cent. 

When the great struggle was ended and the men who had fought 
for the integrity of the Union returned to the pursuits of civil life, 
societies were formed by the survivors to keep alive the memories 
of that great war. In 1881 C. S. Douty Post No. 23, G. A. R. 
(named for that gallant cavalry leader who as Colonel of the ist 
Maine Cavalry gave up his life for his country at Aldie, Va.) 
was organized in Foxcroft and had its home for some years in tht^ 
old Academy building at the end of Foxcroft Bridge. For 
many years its meetings have been held in Dover, its present 
headquarters being in Sampson's Hall. In 1893 while I was 
serving my term as Department Commander of the Dept. of 



FOXCROFT IN THE CIVIL WAR 89 



Maine, G. A. R., Charles Peleg Chandler Post was organ- 
ized, and for many years held its meetings in the building now- 
owned by C. S. Dotity Circle Ladies of the G. A. R. Its ranks 
becoming decimated by death they surrendered their charter. 
Charles Peleg Chandler for w'hom this Post was named was the 
only son of Charles Parsons Chandler, the first Principal of Fox- 
croft Academy, an eminent lawyer and foremost in his profession 
in the county. Charles Peleg Chandler was born in Foxcroft, Jan. 
4th, 1835, graduated at Bowdoin in 1854 and at Harvard Law 
school in 1857. He was in the law office of the War Governor of 
Massachusetts, John A. Andrew, from 1875 to 1861. He was 
commissioned Major of the ist Mass. Infantry May 22d, 1861, later 
promoted to Lieut. Colonel and his commission as Colonel reached 
the camp the day he was killed at Malvern Hill, Va., June 30th, 
1862. Comrade Chandler was the highest type of a citizen soldier, 
and who filled every station to which he was called with fidelity. 
His life filled with successes that came to him as a reward for 
honest endeavor, uprightness of character, and devotion to duty 
must serve as an inspiration to his surviving comrades. 

List of Comrades who have become residents of Foxcroft since 
the War: 

Osgood P. Martin, Sergt. Co. F, 20th Maine Vol. Infantry. Is 
now serving as Dep't Commander of the Union Veterans Union. 
In politics he is a Progressive. 

James R. Martin, Sergt. Co. F, 20th Alaine \^ols. Was a resident 
nearly forty years until his death. 

Isaiah B. Davis, ist H. A. Lives on Main street. Has served as 
1st Dep. Commander L^. V. U. 

Erastus T, Monroe, Co. E, ist H. A. Is one of the Centennial 
Committee. Is serving his fourth term as Colonel of Custer Com- 
mand, U. V. U. 

Elbridge T. Crockett. Co. A. 6th ]\Iaine. Has passed to a higher 
life. 

John H. Herring, Sergt. Co. M, ist Maine Cavalry, deceased. 

\\\ Gushing, Co. A, 6th Maine Vols. One of the Centennial Com- 
mittee. 

J. H. Manter, Co. D, 9th Maine. Has served as Post Commander 
C. S. Douty Post. 

Wm. M. Hutchins, served in a California regiment. Was a resi- 
dent of Foxcroft at the time of his death. 

In conclusion I wish to thank all who have assisted in making 
this Centennial observance such a glorious success. 



90 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Clergymen of Foxcroft 

By LisTON P. Evans. 

I have assumed that I was expected to write of the clergymen 
vv'ho have been connected with the Foxcroft church. Ministers who 
have served the Dover churches have Hved in Foxcroft, but it would 
not be possible to ascertain who they were. 

My work has been made easier than it could otherwise have been 
by a paper prepared by the late Major C. H. B. Woodbury on the 
occasion of the 75th anniversary of the institution of the Foxcroft 
and Dover Congregational church, Jan. 2, 1898. and he gave credit 
to a sermon delivered by Rev. J. H. Gurney on the 50th anniversary 
of the institution of the church. 

The first minister in the town of Foxcroft was Rev. Thomas 
\\'illiams, who was installed Jan. i, 1823, over what was called the 
Congregational church of Foxcroft and vicinity. 

He was to have no salary, only "the use of the lands located for 
the use of the ministry in said town" and likewise one-third of the 
time to be appropriated in such a manner as he might think proper. 
It is no wonder that Mr. Williams, in accepting the call, said that 
the prospects of providing for his family under the above conditions 
v/ere by no means flattering, for the land was wild and the people 
too poor to give him additional support. 

Mr. Williams' pastorate continued until April 3, 1835, i^ years 
and three months. During that time, in addition to the 20 original 
members, he received into the church 115 members, an average of 
r.bout nine each year. He also baptized between no and 120 chil- 
dren. 

Elias Wells, Jr., was called direct from the Seminary and was 
ordained and installed Nov. 7, 1837. His salary was $300, with 
wood and a house, or part of one, and a vacation of three months. 
He resigned July 24, 1842, the principal cause being sympathy for 
the slave and hostility to the institution of slavery, which he de- 
nounced from the pulpit. He had no support in this position among 
his people and his resignation was inevitable. 

Rev. Wooster Parker was installed Nov. 9, 1842. His salary was 
to be $450. It would seem that Mr. Parker was wise to the experi- 
ence a minister might have, for among the conditions of acceptance 
were these: ist, that the salary should be understood as money. 
2d, that such articles of produce and merchandise as he might re- 



CLERGYMEN OF FOXCROFT 



91 



ceive should be at cash prices ; 3d. that the payments should be made 
promptly. 

The salary was to be raised by subscription, Ijut in case a suffi- 
cient sum was not pledged, the following persons agreed to be taxed 
in proportion to their means to make up the deficiency : Oilman 
Clark. S. P. Brown, Dominicus Mitchell, Nathan Carpenter. Jotham 
Ryder, G. W. Sawyer, L. Harmon, Lyman Lee, Joel Pratt, Calel) 
Prentiss, Benjamin Johnson, Gideon Dawes. James Bush. Samuel 
Greeley. Samuel Mitchell. 




Congregational Church and Chapel. 



Mr. Parker resigned August 28, 1856, after a pastorate of nearly 
.^4 years. It was during his pastorate that the second meeting- 
liouse was destroyed by tire. 

One hundred persons were, admitted to the church during his 
pastorate, 65 on confession of faith. Among the number was his 
son Edwin P., who has but recently resigned as pastor of the South 
Church, Hartford, Conn., after serving with great success over 50 
years. 



92 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Rev. E. S. Palmer was installed Oct. 13, 1857, and resigned Oct. 
7, 1858, a reason assigned being "the prospect of inadecjuate support 
for the future." 

There was a great revival throughout the country during his 
pastorate and 46 persons were admitted to the church during the 
year, 40 at one time. 

Rev. Calvin Chapman was installed pastor of the church Oct. 26, 
1859. His ministry did not prove successful and closed Jan. i, 1862. 

Rev. \y. E. Darling was installed May 20, 1862. and resigned Jan. 
20, 1864. because of ill health. 

Rev. B. C. Chase was installed May 8, 1866. and died in office 
Oct. 13, 1868; deeply regretted by his people and the churches of 
Dover. 

Rev. J. H. Gurney was installed Oct. 19. 1869, and resigned April 
4, 1875. H'S ministry had been successful and his resignation was 
deeply regretted. Many before me today will recall his eloquent 
sermons and the impressive manner in which he read the hymns. 

Rev. H. A. Loring was installed June 10, 1875, and resigned 
Sept. I, 1880. The council held to dismiss him said: "They (the 
members of the council) wish to bear the strongest testimony to his 
ministerial and Christian character, to his faithfulness as a preacher, 
snd especially to the earnestness and zeal with which he has labored, 
not only with his own people but also in all the region round about."' 

Rev. D. A. Morehouse was installed October 18, 1881, and re- 
signed March 24. 1889, because of ill health. His pastorate had 
been very successful and his resignation was accepted with great 
reluctance and only when his decision was known to be tinal. 

Rev. Wellington R. Cross was installed June 5. 1890, and died 
in olifice Sept. 5, 1891, three hours after preaching the morning ser- 
mon. Mr. Cross had been a faithful minister and his death was a 
great sorrow to his people. 

Andrew L. Chase was installed Dec. 31. 1891, and resigned May 
9, 1896. 

Mr. Chase had been untiring in his efforts to advance the chari- 
table and philanthropic phases of church life and the church is un- 
doubtedlv profiting today by his efforts along those lines. He was 
also an earnest preacher and devoted to all the interests of his 
r-eople. It was largely through his efforts that the money was raised 
for remodeling the church building as it is today. 

Rev. Norman McKinnon commenced his pastorate in June, 1896, 
and resigned February 24, 1900. Mr. McKinnon and his people 



DOCTORS OF FOXCROFT 93 



had worked together very harmoniously and the church had pros- 
pered under his ministration. 

Rev. V. M. Hardy, D. D., was called to the pastorate July 22, 
1900, and resigned Nov. 19, 1904. Dr. Hardy was an able preacher 
and, as the council on dismissal expressed it, "a worthy, devoted and 
faithful Christian minister." 

Rev. George A. Merrill accepted a call to the church June 3, 1906, 
and is its minister today. The future church historian wmH be able 
to speak well of his work. 



Doctors of Foxcroft 

By Dr. Edgar T. Flint. 

In attempting to give a brief history of those physicians who have 
practiced in Foxcroft, the chief obstacle has been that there are no 
records or documents available to which reference might be had, 
and it has been necessary to depend, with few exceptions, upon the 
memory of those now living. In such instances the information has 
been largely of a fragmentary character and somewhat speculative 
as to dates and names. 

The time alloted to this task was very limited for such an under- 
taking and no claim is made for completeness or absolute accuracy. 

It is hoped that with what few facts are here recorded the in- 
formation and corrections which will undoubtedly come to our atten- 
tion subsequent to this occasion, it will be possiljle to compile a 
better and more complete history of this profession. 

Loring's history of Piscatacjuis mentions one physician, Josiah 
Hobbs, regarding whom no information can be obtained, and in the 
absence of such mention of him is hereby made in connection with 
the rest. 

Loring's history records the fact that in 1808 Capt. S. Chamber- 
lain being ill of a fever sent to Bangor for Dr. Rich, who made the 
trip up in twenty-four hours, presumably by horseback, and charged 
fifteen dollars. One year later a Dr. Winthrop Brown came here 
from Berwick, but his field was so limited that he soon sought 
another and until 1818 the settlers were without a local physician. 
At this time Jeremiah Leach came to Foxcroft and fortified his 
income by the manufacture of potash, but his health soon com- 



94 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



pc'lled him to seek aid in Boston and in 1818 Dr. Stacy Tucker 
located here and remained until his death. He was a man of con- 
siderable consequence in the early history of the town, being identi- 
fied with all public enterprises and holding" many offices. He built 
the house on Main street now owmed by William P. Oakes and had 
two sons and three daughters, Martha Tucker, Mabel Warren and 
Frank Turner, grandchildren of Dr. Tucker, still reside in this 
community. 

Dr. Sumner Lawton settled in Foxcroft somewhere about 1840, 
at which date he was one of the founders of the Baptist church in 
Dover. He lived first on Lincoln street in a small house which was 
demolished some twenty-five years ago and which stood near the 
site of the residence now owned by Leo Libby. He later built and 
occupied the house on Main street owned by Stanley Annis, it being 
at that time the next house on that side of the street to the James 
S. Holmes residence, later occupied by Dr. Preston Fisher and at 
present by Dr. C. C. Hall, Jr. 

Dr. Lawton enjoyed an extensive practice here and in 1849 moved 
to Bangor. He married Mary A. Parker and their children were 
Frances L. Mace, who went to California and was somewhat cele- 
brated as a poetess, and F. M. Lawton, an ex-mayor of Bangor. 

Dr. Josiah Jordan came here in 1848 and the next year bought 
the practice and good will of Dr. Lawton. who was about to leave 
as above stated. He built the residence on North street now occu- 
pied by Dr. Chamberlain, where he continued to reside until 1865. 
Dr. Jordan was a man of very engaging personality and had a wide 
practice, but in 1857 or '58 his two children died of diphtheria and 
lie became so impressed with the futility of medical science in the 
face of disease at that time, that he gradually relinquished his prac- 
tice and in 1858 was elected Register of Deeds for this county, a 
position which he held until 1862, when he enlisted in the army, 
was made surgeon and served until the end of the war. Subsequent 
to his being mustered out of the service he moved to Springfield. 
Mass., where he died. Dr. Jordan had two sons, Charles of Chicago 
and William of Massachusetts. 

Dr. James Edgecomb came to Foxcroft in 1853 and remained 
about seven years. He first located in the village but later married 
IVliss Julia Howard and moved to the farm cleared by her father, 
Asaph Howard, where they continued to reside until 1856, when the 
records show that it was sold to x\nsel Crockett and the Doctor and 
Mrs. Edgecomb moved to Turner. 



DOCTORS OF FOXCROFT -, 95 



Dr. Freeland Holmes was a native of this town, a son of Salmon 
Holmes. In 1858 he located here to practice his profession and 
ultimately bought and occupied the house of Dr. Jordan on North 
street. Dr. Holmes enlisted in the army, was made surgeon and 
was killed on the field while in Hne of duty. 

A diary kept by Mr. Henry Prentiss of this town makes note of 
the sad occasion when Dr. Holmes' body was brought home from 
the front for burial. A Rev. Mr. Godfrey preached the funeral 
sermon and the interment was in the Foxcroft cemetery. 

Dr. Holmes was a popular practitioner and a public-spirited and 
patriotic gentleman, and his death was a sad blow to the community. 
He married a Miss Washburn, sister to Gov. Israel \\'ashburn and 
to two other brothers, one a congressman from Illinois, the other 
a congressman from Minnesota and the founder of the Washburn 
f^our mills. 

In 1863 Dr. Joseph W. Cook, a homeopathic physician, came to 
Foxcroft. and resided on Lincoln street in a house now owned and 
occupied by John F. Arnold. Dr. Cook practiced here for a number 
of years and afterward moved to Dover. He corresponded for the 
Observer and reported many political meetings in the surrounding 
county, it being a time of political strife. He had one son and two 
daughters. Dr. Cook's reputation for professional ability was ex- 
cellent. 

In 1864 Dr. Costello Hamilton opened an office here and remained 
a short time. But little can be learned of him except that he was 
not in full sympathy with the government in relation to the Civil 
War and it is due chiefly to this fact that any record of his presence 
here was preserved. 

Dr. William Buck was a native of Hodgdon, Maine, and received 
his medical degree in 1859. After serving as surgeon and being 
mustered out with the Sixth Maine Regiment, he spent a year in 
New York and located here in 1865. For many years he was a 
familiar figure about town and a welcome visitor to the sick, a 
public-spirited, kind-hearted and skilful physician and a surgeon of 
marked ability. 

Dr. Buck occupied various municipal offices and represented this 
class in the legislature in 1877; he also served the county as treas- 
urer for six years and was United States examining surgeon for 
thirty years. He was a member of the Maine Medical Association 
and a contributor of original articles to the County Medical Society. 
Dr. Buck died at his home on Main street in August, 1908. aged 75 



96 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



years. He left beside his wife, a daughter, Anna, and a son, Lieut. 
Guy M. Buck, all of whom still reside in the old home. The phar- 
macy which the Doctor established in 1865 on Monument Square is 
still operated by his son. 

Dr. Evelyn G. Buck, wife of Dr. John Buck, came here from 
Philadelphia soon after the death of her husband in 1870 and began 
the practice of medicine according to the homeopathic school. Dr. 
Buck remained here until 1879. having an office and home in the 
Masonic block over what is now Batchelor & Sawyer's store. 

In 1879 she married Lyman W. Keene and moved to Atkinson, 
returning to Foxcroft in 1884, where she continued to reside and 
practice until her death in 1901. 

The Doctor was licensed as a physician under the act of 1895. 
She resided at the time of her death at her farm on the North and 
South road near Foxcroft Center. 

Dr. J. B. Cochrane, a native of Fayette, Maine, came here from 
Minnesota in 1873 and married Elizabeth M. Cochrane of Dover. 
He located in his present residence, the Cochrane homestead on 
Lincoln street, near the site of Piscataquis Falls and on the town 
line between Dover and Foxcroft. 

Dr. Cochrane received his degree in 1866 and did general prac- 
tice, serving between 1882 and 1883 as pension examiner, being 
secretary of the board. Dr. Cochrane retired from active practice 
several years ago and devotes much of his time to agriculture and 
the raising of small fruit. 

Dr. A. T. Walker came here from Sebec Village in 1875. where 
he had been in practice since 1870. He boarded at the Exchange 
while building his residence on North street, the next above Osgood 
Martin's. 

Dr. Walker remained in Foxcroft until the spring of 1883, when 
he removed to Falmouth. Mass., ultimately retiring in 1889 and now- 
residing in Woburn, Mass. The Doctor sends greetings to his old 
friends and expresses the hope that the centennial will be a grand 
success in every w^ay. While here Dr. \\'alker enjoyed an extensive 
practice and the reputation of a successful business man. 

About 1877 Dr. T. H. Merrill came to this place and built the 
house on Main street now owned by \\\ L. Sampson. His ofifice 
was in the apartment now occupied by Dr. \V. G. Buswell as a dental 
ofifice. 

Dr. Merrill had several children, among whom was a son Fred, 
now a Congregational minister in Massachusetts. About 1890. Dr. 



DOCTORS OF FOXCROFT 97 



Merrill moved to Tacoma. Wash. He is now a resident of Brock- 
ton. Mass. 

Dr. Preston Fisher came here in 1885 from California and resided 
in the James S. Holmes house on Main street. He remained about 
ten years and moved to Jamaica Plains, Mass. 

Dr. Fisher had a wide practice here and in surrounding towns, 
was a practical, conservative man and one of good judgment al- 
though somewhat eccentric and the author of many original tales. 
His father practiced in Corinna. where Dr. Preston was probably 
born. 

Dr. E. D. Merrill was born in Dexter. Maine. 1866, received his 
degree in medicine in 1885 and located here in 1886. He married 
Miss Lora Dver of Foxcroft and maintains his office and residence 
on Winter street. Dr. Merrill is of the Homeopathic School, is a. 
member of the Maine Medical Association and treasurer of the 
Piscatacjuis County Medical Society. Fie enjoys the distinction of 
-being the senior phvsician in active practice as regards the date of 
his location in this community. 

Dr. A. H. Chamberlain, son of Chester and Minerva (Spaulding'i 
Chamberlain, was born in Foxcroft in 1861. received his degree in 
medicine in 1888 and located here in 1891. Dr. Ch>amberlain 
resides in the house on North street built and occupied by Dr. 
Jordan and later bv Dr. Holmes. He attends to general practice 
but specializes to f|uite an extent in diseases of the eye and ear. 

Dr. F. \\'. Merrill, son of Adams H. Merrill of Williamsburg, 
came here earlv in 1895 from Winn, and for two years occupied 
the W. L. Sampson house on Main street. 

At this time there were registered in Foxcroft five physicians and 
some time in 1896 Dr. Merrill returned to Winn. While here he 
occupied as an office the rooms in the Opera House Block now 
occupied bv the E. E. Whitney Insurance Company. 

In 1894 Dr. A. H. Stanhope moved from Milo to Dover and 
opened an office in the Opera House Block in Foxcroft. He con- 
tinued in this town until 1897 when he moved his office to Dover. 
Avhere he still resides and practices. Dr. Stanhope is a member 
of the Maine Medical Association and an ex-president of the county 
Medical Society. Dr. Stanhope received his medical degree in 1887. 

Dr. Harold C. Martin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Osgood Martin and a 
native of this town, was born Oct. 23. 1870. He received his medi- 
cal deeree in 1895 and after serving as surgeon for the Canadian 
Pacific Railroad and house physician at the Kineo House. Moose- 



(j8 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



head Lake, he located in his home town in lyoo. where he had an 
office in the building on North street moved from the site of the 
present (Jpera House Block. 

Dr. Martin died of angina pectoris the year that he came here. 
He was an able, competent physician, a man of exceptional brilliance, 
and his untimely death was mourned by a host of friends who re- 
member him for his many fine qualities and companionable nature. 
Dr. Martin was a member of the Maine Medical Association. 

Dr. M. ( ). Browm, a native of Dover, after practicing in Aroos- 
took county for several years, located in Foxcroft in 1908, main- 
taining his office and residence in the Masonic Block on Union 
Square. In 191 1 he moved across the street into Dover, where he 
now resides. 

Dr. Brown received his medical degree in 1902. is a member of 
the Maine Medical Association, and at present president of the 
Piscataquis County Medical Society. 

In 1910 Dr. C. C. Hall, Jr., son of Dr. and Mrs. C. C. Hall of 
Dover, having received his degree in medicine, located in Foxcroft 
and purchased the James S. Holmes house on Main street, formerly 
occupied by Dr. Fisher. Dr. Hall maintains an office in the Opera 
House Block formerly occupied by Dr. E. D. Merrill, is a member 
of the Maine Medical Association and at present vice-president of 
the Piscataquis County Medical Society. 

Dr. Edgar T. Flint, son of Henry B. and Caro E. Flint of this 
town was born June 2, 1877. He received his degree in medicine 
in 1901 and practiced ten years in Aroostook county, coming here 
in 191 1, residing at his old home on Lincoln street and maintaining 
his office in the Masonic Block. Dr. Flint was a member of the 
First Maine Regiment in the Spanish- American war and is a mem- 
ber of the Maine Medical and County Medical Society. 



HISTORY OF FOXCROFT ACADEMY 99 



History of Foxcroft Academy 

By Hon. W. E. Parsons. 

Hon. Willis E. Parsons gave the following address uix)n Foxcroft 
Academy. 

Foxcroft Academy. 

Fcllozv Citiccns of Foxcroft: 

We observe today the centennial of this thriving municipality, not 
so much for our own pleasure, as that we owe it to the fathers, those 
sturdy pioneers who blazed the way, cleared the forest, let in the 
sunshine and the warmth, and here upon the banks of this beautiful 
river built their homes. 

Through hardships and privations wholly unknown to the present 
generations, they persevered in establishing a settlement, which by 
their heroic efforts soon developed into a community worthy a char- 
ter from the General Court of Massachusetts. 

We are now interested in the contrast between the log cabin and 
school house of those early days and the palatial residences and com- 
modious school buildings of our own time, but more and above all 
we are interested in the character and unselfish motives of those 
noble men and women who then wrought so valiantly for themselves 
and posterity. They were not satisfied with a mere subsistence for 
themselves and their dependent families, but believed in a proper 
development of the mind, such training of their children in both 
heart and intellect as vould fit them for the great battle of life and 
make them valuable citizens of the republic. 

What big hearted men and women, what self-sacrificing fathers 
and mothers. W^e realize their characters and lofty purpose as we 
remember, that with all the burdens of a new town, the building 
of highways and bridges, schoolhouses and supporting schools, the 
towm was only eleven years old when in 1823 they established here 
and wdiere we now are an institution of learning that for 89 yars 
has been of untold value to onr own people and the whole State. 

Of this institution, Foxcroft Academy, I am requested to speak. 
Owing to the length of the program, only a brief outline of its his- 
tory can be given. 

The town of Foxcroft, which is one of the six townships granted 
to Bowdoin College by the Massachusetts Assembly in 1794. and 



loo SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 

purchased of that college by Joseph Ellery Foxcroft in 1800, re- 
ceived its first permanent settler in i8c6. 

Although incorporated as a town six years later, or February 29, 
1812, clearing the forest and establishing homes in the wilderness 
proved a slow process, even for the sturdy pioneers of those early 
days, and when the act of separation from Massachusetts took 
effect in 1820, Foxcroft numbered but 211 souls. 

Common schools, furnishing the rudiments of education, were 
then supported by Foxcroft and surrounding towns, but nothing 
like a high school was attempted until 1822. 

Early in that year James Stuart Holmes, a brilliant young law- 
yer and graduate of Brown University, opened at Foxcroft the first 
law ofifice in the county. Presumably while waiting for his first 
clients and seeing the great necessity of a higher branch of learning 
in the county, Mr. Holmes organized a high school in Foxcroft. 
acting himself, as preceptor. 

This high school immediately became the Mecca of learning for 
the more advanced students of Foxcroft and other towns, and so 
much enthusiasm was created among the inhabitants by this young 
lawyer, that the next Legislature was asked for a charter for an 
academy, which was promptly granted, January 31st, 1823. 

That charter the institution is still working under ; hence, Fox- 
croft Academy lacks but three years of being as old as the State and 
it was the first one incorporated after Maine became a separate com- 
monwealth. 

By the act of incorporation certain conditions were imposed, 
which, if not complied with, would render the charter nul and void. 
From a perusal of that act we may understand something of what 
this then poor and sparsely populated town had to contend with in 
order to establish for themselves and posterity this higher institu- 
tion of learning or what they termed "poor man's college." 

Act of Incorporation. 
State of Maine. 
In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty- 
three. 

An Act establishing Foxcroft Academy. 

Section ist. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre- 
sentatives in Legislature assembled : That William Emerson. Daniel 
Wilkins, Thomas Williams, John Bradbury, Samuel Chamberlain, 



HISTORY OF FOXCROFT ACADEMY loi 

James S. Holmes, Philip Greeley, Joshua Carpenter, Joseph Kelsey, 
Samuel ^IcClanathan, Samuel C. Clark and Jason Hassell and their 
successors forever, be and they hereby are constituted a body politic 
by the name of the Trustees of Foxcroft xAcademy, with power to 
prosecute and defend suits at law ; to have a common seal and to 
alter it at pleasure, to establish an Academy at Foxcroft, in the 
County of Penobscot, for the promotion of literature, science, moral- 
ity and piety; to make any bylaws for the management of their af- 
fairs, not repugnant to the laws of the State ; and to choose such 
officers as they may deem proper, to hold any property, real and 
personal, by gift, grant or otherwise, the yearly income of which 
shall not exceed the sum of three thousand dollars, and to receive 
all property which may heretofore have been given or subscribed 
for the benefit of such Academy. 

Section 2d. Be it further enacted. That said Trustees may at any 
time remove any one of their number whom they shall adjudge in- 
capable of discharging such trust, and choose additional Trustees, 
and fill vacancies in said board by ballot. Provided, however, that 
the number of said Trustees shall at no time be less than nine, nor 
more than fifteen, any five of whom shall constitute a quorum. 

Section 3d. Be it further enacted. That Joshua Carpenter, Es- 
quire, is hereby authorized to call the first meeting of said Trustees, 
in such manner as he shall deem proper ; provided, however, that 
the Legislature shall at any time have power to alter or repeal the 
provisions of this act ; and provided further, that unless the said 
Trustees shall within one year from the passing of this act, be in 
possession of funds or property for the use of said Academy or 
vested in a building for the same purpose which together shall 
amount to at least fifteen hundred dollars, and have also commenced 
instruction in said institution, wMthin that time, the powers granted 
by this Act shall be nul and void. 

How TO Raise $1,500? 

It will be seen by the act that the trustees must, within one year 
from its passage, have in possession funds or property for the use 
of said academy, or vested in a building for the same purpose, which 
together should amount to at least $1,500, and also commence in- 
structions in said institution within that time. 

The voters of Foxcroft in 1823, as shown by the records of the 
town meeting held in April of that year, numbered but 57. The 
whole assessment for town purposes in 1823 was but $1,140, of 



I02 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF. MAINE HISTORY 

which $900 was to be paid in work on the highways, $100 was for 
schools, $90 for town charges and $50 for powder and balls. The 
records do not show whether the powder and balls were to be used 
for bears or Indians, but the aggregate was $1,140, or $360 less 
than was required to be raised by subscription for the academy in 
a single year. The same ratio above our assessment last year would 
have given a fund of over $35,000. 

A meeting was promptly called, however, on Feb. 22, 1823, by 
Joshua Carpenter, escjuire, as authorized in the act, at the house of 
John Bradbury, located where the Exchange now stands, and the 
trustees proceeded to organize under the act. 

David Wilkins, esquire, was chosen president, and James S. 
Flolmes, secretary, which position he held for many years, and 
Samuel Chamberlain, esquire, was chosen treasurer. 

At this meeting a committee consisting of John Bradbury, Joshua 
Carpenter, Samuel McClanathan, Jason Hassell, Thomas Williams, 
Samuel C. Clark and Daniel Wilkins was appointed to ascertain 
"what sum of money could be obtained for the purpose of erecting 
a building for an academy and as funds for the use and benefit of 
the same." 

And the records further say that "Nathaniel Chamberlain, Esq., 
then came before the board of trustees and informed the president 
that Joseph E. Foxcroft, esquire, had deposited in his hands $50 
to be paid over to the treasurer of the board of trustees of Foxcroft 
Academy for the use and benefit of said academy, provided the 
trustees should fulfill the requisition of the act establishing the 
same." 

Other meetings were held in rapid succession to hear reports of 
committees on subscription and to discuss generally ways and 
means of raising the coveted amount. The subscriptions were made 
to be paid in labor, boards, shingles, and other necessary materials, 
with small sums of money, and so much encouragement was given 
that on March 8th of the same year a committee consisting of 
Joshua Carpenter, John Bradbury and Rev. Thomas Wilkins was 
appointed to select a site for the building. 

Chose the Site. 

This committee a few days later reported in favor of a half acre 
of land "situate and lying between the house of David Greeley, Esq., 
and his sawmill." This half acre was secured and is the present 
site of the academy. The house of David Greeley, Esq., stood 



HISTORY OF ' FOXCROFT ACADEMY lo - 



where the Congregational Chapel is now located and his saw mill 
occupied the present site of Mayo & Son's woolen mill. 

On the 28th day of the following May, Col. Joshua Carpenter was 
appointed agent to superintend the erection of a building for an 
academy, and a general superintending committee from whom the 
agent should receive instructions, was appointed, composed of John 
Bradbury, Thomas Davee and the Rev. Thomas Williams. 

Work was soon begun, but the building was not ready for a school 
until 1825, although it was let for religious services as early as 
October i, 1824. 

One of the provisions of the act of incorporation was that instruc- 
tion should be begun within one year from the passage of the act, 
and December 31. 1823, at a meeting of the trustees, a committee 
consisting of James S. Holmes, Thomas Williams and Thomas 
Davee, was appointed to notify the legislature that they had com- 
plied with the conditions of the act, showing that a fall term must 
have been held in 1823, although not in the academy building. 

The First Teacher. 

The records also disclose the fact that James Gooch taught from 
March, 1824, until the following June, as a committee was then 
appointed to settle with him ; and no other teacher being mentioned, 
it is presumed that he taught the previous fall term. 

Then followed Charles P. Chandler, as preceptor, for several 
terms and Foxcroft academy was well launched on its long career 
of usefulness. 

That the trustees understood the value of continuous educational 
work, is shown by the by-laws, which provided for three terms a 
year of twelve weeks each; and that they also stood upon a proper 
amount of decorum is evidenced by the fact that one of the fir-" of 
the bylaws provided that no trustee should speak in any meetmg 
of the board without first rising and addressing the president. 

Half Township of Land. 

In 1825, a half township of land was granted to the academy by 
the legislature, being what is now the north half of the town of 
Springfield. This half township embraced 11,020 acres and was 
sold the same year for 3Qic. per acre, thus creating a fund for 
the use of the academy of $3,361.10. A small tuition of $2.50 per 
term was charged, but in some instances even this was .abated. 



104 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 

At the annual meeting in 1829, James S. Holmes, Charles P. 
Chandler, Thomas Williams and Thomas Davee were chosen a 
committee to "look into the propriety of purchasing some land to 
be connected with the academy whereby scholars, if they desire, 
may have the privilege of working thereon and thereby pay a part 
of their expenses, and further to consult the public opinion on that 
subject." 

A Mechanic Shop. 

Two years later, in 1831, a committee was appointed to inquire 
into the expediency of having a mechanic shop connected with the 
academy. So much interest was manifested that the committee 
was reappointed the next year although no such building was 
erected. They did, however, by their action anticipate instruction 
in manual training which is a comparatively new idea among edu- 
cators in this country. 

In 1832, a committee was chosen "to finish off the chamber and 
entry of the academy." 

That the academy was formerly used by the preceptors as a step- 
ping stone to the professions is shown by a vote taken in 1838, not 
to engage as preceptor any person "who is or may be studying for 
any profession or engaged in any other business than the care and 
attention of the academy." Certain it is, as will be seen by a perusal 
of the list of preceptors annexed to this article, that many did rise 
to professional distinction in later years. 

the academy in the early days, the same as now, was a great 
blessing to the entire community. Students gathered within its 
walls from near and far and in 1843, there were 130 pupils. Young 
men did not cease their attendance on arriving at the age of twenty- 
one. Xot having the present advantage of thirty-six weeks a year 
in the conimon schools but only a short term in the fall and winter, 
or winter and spring, rarely more than two terms a year, the young 
men and women were usually of a maturer age on entering the 
academy than now. 

I remember well of hearing my father, Levi Parsons, who fitted 
himself for teaching in this institution, speak of the young men 
who attended after they had become voters. 

The students had their exhibitions and one was given in 1840, 
which continued six hours. It does not state whether the auditors 
sat on benches or in cushioned pews. 



HISTORY OF FOXCROFT ACADEMY 10= 



Debating Societies. 

The young men had. too, their lyceums, or debating societies. 
l"he hrst one in the academy was organized Oct. 4, 1842, and it 
may interest the good people of the present day to know that the 
hrst question opened for debate was in relation to temperance. 
"Resolved That the Old Temperance Society Has Done More 
Toward Advancing the Temperance Reformation Than the Wash- 
ingtonian Society, Now in Operation." 

A story is told of A. G. Lebroke, when a student in the academy, 
that indicated at least that masterly oratory for which he after- 
ward became famous. He had entered into the spirit of one of the 
debates with such vigor that it was promptly decided in his favor. 
He thereupon asked for the privilege of speaking again, which was 
granted. He then took the other side, tore bis former argument 
into fragments and won that side of the question, the students then 

and there voting that he had beaten himself. 

i 

Larger Building Erected. 

In 1859, the first academy building, which had long been inade- 
quate to the needs of the school, was removed to the north end of 
Foxcroft bridge on the east side of Main street, where it is now 
occupied as a store and workshop, and in i860, a much larger and 
more commodious building was erected. Although this was done 
partly by subscription, it reduced very materially the funds of the 
institution. 

In 1868, by Chapter 277 of the Resolves, the legislature granted 
one thousand dollars to the trustees of the academy to be deposited 
in the treasury of State the annual interest to be paid annually to 
the trustees of said academy. The annuity of sixty dollars, thus 
created, is received regularly by the trustees. 

The second academy building, like the former, stood on stone 
posts and was heated with stoves. Its rooms were ill arranged, 
with poor ventilation, and in 1891, the trustees voted to make gen- 
eral repairs. A cellar was dug, a good stone foundation put under 
the building, large furnaces installed for heating, and the rooms 
generally remodelled at an expense of about 2,500, which was paid 
out of the balance of the funds and liberal subscriptions of the 
citizens. Also a large piazza was thrown across the front end of 
the building, adding much to its architectural appearance as well 
as the comfort of the students. 



io6 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



The piazza was the Hberal gift of the late Ehza Ann Mayo, who 
later joined her husband, Hon. Josiah B. Mayo, in presenting to 
the trustees the imposing three story structure which, annexed to 
the former, makes one of the finest academy buildings in the State. 

Many students from Dover as well as Foxcroft fitted for college, 
or completed their education in this old institution, and for many 
years there was a strong feeling on the part of some that it would 
be an advantage to both towns to unite in support of Foxcroft 
Academy. 

Finally, in 1903, the voters of Dover discontinued their high 
school and voted to expend their free high school money in Fox- 
croft Academy to pay tuition for such of their high school scholars 
as wished to attend that school. 

By this move the student body was increased about one-third 
and, although additional seats were provided and everything done 
that could be to make room for the increase, the old building proved 
wholly inadequate, and an enlargement of the building became 
absolutely necessary. Architects were employed to draw plans 
and specifications for a new building on the front of the old and 
annexed to it so as to make one large school building. 

At a meeting of the trustees held March 4, 1904, the plans were 
examined and approved by the trustees but, as the academy had no 
funds for the purpose, the erection of a large three-story structure 
provided with an expensive heating plant, school furniture and 
necessary equipment, seemed an almost hopeless undertaking. It 
must be done by voluntary contribution. 

While the ways and means were being discussed, one of the 
trustees Edward J. Mayo, in behalf of his father and mother, Mr. 
and Mrs. Josiah B. Mayo, made the following offer. — That if the 
trustees and other citizens would raise a fund sufBcient to put in a 
good heating plant, build the foundation for the new building and 
thoroughly equip the school, that Mr. and Mrs. Mayo would erect 
the building, according to the architects' plans. 

The generous ofTer was promptly accepted and an earnest vote of 
thanks and hearty appreciation of the same then and there spread 
upon the records. Two of the trustees, James Bathgate and W. E. 
Parsons acted as soliciting committee, and not only the trustees but 
citizens of both towns responded generously, raising a fund of 
about $3,100 for the purpose. 



HISTORY OF FOXCROFT ACADEMY 



Three trustees, E. J. Mayo, C. C. Hall and W. E. Parsons, were 
appointed a building committee, and work was immediately begun 
on the new building and the next year saw the present large and 
beautiful structure which faces Foxcroft Square, fully completed 
and thoroughly equipped as one of the best fitting schools in Maine. 

New Building Dedicated. 

In June, 1905, the new building was dedicated and formal pre- 
sentation of the keys made by J. B. Mayo to the treasurer. W. E. 
Parsons, in the presence of a grateful throng of Dover and Fox- 
croft citizens. 

In addition to the contributions previously spoken of, John G. 
Mayo gave $600 for the purchase of a laboratory, which is of great 
advantage in physics and chemistry. 




Foxcroft Academy and Soldiers Monument. 

The school is now thoroughly equipped and in a prosperous con- 
dition, being well patronized by the surrounding towns. What it 
needs most is an endowment fund. Some years ago a small endow- 
ment fund was raised of about $2,700, of which Josiah B. Mayo 
and Sarah C. Vaughan gave $1,000 each. Hannah E. and Julia R. 



io8 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Gilman by soliciting made up largely the balance, while Evans S. 
Pillsbury, one of its alumni, gave $ioo. This fund was invested 
in the new dormitory. 

The school has always been non-sectarian and has gathered 
Vv'ithin its portals for mental training and advancement the well 
meaning seekers of knowledge of every sect or denomination in the 
country. It has ever been the aim of the trustees to furnish a 
school where students could not only tit for college but where the 
great majority who could not afford to attend higher institutions of 
learning, could equip themselves for business and the great duties 
of life, and well they have succeeded. 

The long list of illustrious names among its alumni testifies to 
that success. After the early struggles of this institution, followed 
by a noble career of usefulness, its future seems now assured. Its 
commodious building, its thorough equipment, and loyal support of 
Dover and Foxcroft bespeaks for it that success which must meet 
the expectations of its most sanguine supporters. 

The recent development of the school has been such that refer- 
ence to it can scarcely be made without giving credit to the Board 
of Trustees who labored so zealously for its accomplishment. The 
Board of Trustees in 1904 consisted of E. A. Thompson of Dover, 
president; J. B. Mayo of Foxcroft, vice-president; Willis E. Par- 
sons of Foxcroft, secretary and treasurer ; the remaining trustees 
being also residents of Dover and Foxcroft ; S. O. Brown, J. B. 
Cochrane, J. B. Peaks, C. C. Hall, F. E. Guernsey, and Henry S- 
Towne of Dover, and William Buck, A. W. Gilman, W. T. Stubbs, 
John F. Hughes, E. J. Mayo and James Bathgate of Foxcroft; 
the fifteen trustees being divided as nearly as possible between the 
two towns, with a preponderance of one in favor of Dover. 

Foxcroft Academy during its long career has been remarkably 
successful in its preceptors, being ranked today as one of the best 
fitting schools in Maine. In fact, it has been on the "preferred list 
for several years, and is one of the few fitting schools of our State 
M'hose graduates are admitted to the New England colleges on 
certificates without examination. 

A four years' commercial course is now well established, whose 
graduates are qualified to perform intelligent work in offices and 
business houses, for, unlike business colleges, no one can be ad- 
mitted who has not had at least two years in the academy or its 
ec'uivalent. No grammar school scholars can gain admission to the 
commercial department. 



HISTORY OF FOXCROFT ACADEMY 109 

School City Government. 

A feature of the school is the school city government, introduced 
by Principal Fred U. Ward in 1905, with consent of the trustees 
vvhich has proved a great success, and was the first to be undertaken 
by any school in Maine. It is no longer an experiment. Space 
will not permit an explanation of its workings, but by it the stu- 
dents take pride in not only maintaining the best of discipline in the 
assembly room, but in all departments of the school, so that the 
expense of one teacher is practically saved to the institution each 
year. And the students are also getting valuable training in the 
forms and duties of municipal government. 

The graduating class of 1906, at an expense of $100, furnished 
with desks and chairs a room in the third story of the academy for 
the school city government. 

Other gifts have been made by friends of the institution. The 
Cosmopolitan club gave the institution $50 for shelves and furni- 
ture in the library, and recently $50 towards furnishing a reception 
room in the dormitory, the balance required to be made up by the 
club as needed. 

The C. S. Douty Circle, No. 11, Ladies of the Grand Army of 
the Republic, of Foxcroft, gave $75 for furnishing an additional 
recitation room ; the citizens, $105 to furnish cabinets for the lab- 
oratory ; and the Carnival committee gave a balance on hand of 
$30 to the academy. Hon. J. B. Mayo donated some electric lights, 
and Sarah J. Lebroke a cluster of electric lights in the library in 
memory of her deceased husband, A. G. Lebroke, and daughter. 
Harriet Beecher; these gifts showing the kind regards which the 
people have for the academy. This substantial aid from time to 
time is greatly appreciated by the trustees. 

This article would not be complete without a list of those trustees 
who in the past have given liberally of their time and moneys that 
it should not falter but be preserved in all its usefulness to future 
generations. 

Trustees. 

A list of the trustees not previously mentioned, and date of their 
election : 

Trustees eletced : Feb. 22, 1823, Thomas Davee ; May 28, 1823, 
(Miver Crosby and Nathaniel Robinson; Nov. 17, 1824, Samuel 
Whitney. Nov. 15, 1825, Isaac E. Wilkins ; Nov. 15. 1826, Isaac 
Macomber and Charles P. Chandler; Oct. 15. 1823, Costillo 



no SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 

iJamlin, Nathan Carpenter and Nathan W. Sheldon; Nov. 24, 1829, 
James Norcross; Oct. 20, 1830, David R. Straw; Oct. 19, 1831, 
Dennis Lambert, Anson Hubbard and Solomon Parsons; Oct. 17, 
1832, Moses Greenleaf; Oct. 16, 1833, Jonathan C. Everett and 
John H. Loring; Oct. 15, 1834, Oilman Clark and Abram Sanborn; 
Oct. 21, 1835, Oilman Burleigh; Oct. 19, 1836, Jonathan F. Page, 
Caleb Prentiss and Harvey Evans; Oct. 18, 1837, William Oakes, 
Benjamin P. Oilman and Stephen P. Brown; Oct. 17, 1838, Calvin 
Chamberlain; Oct. 16, 1839, Richard K. Rice and James S. Wiley; 
Oct. 20, 1842, Salmon Holmes; Oct. 21, 1846, Benjamin Johnson; 
Oct. 15, 1850, Wooster Parker and Alex M. Robinson; Oct. 16, 
1855, Simeon Mudgett and Elihu B. Averill ; Oct. 19, 1858, Thomas 
S. Pullen; Oct. 15. 1861, Ephraim Flint; Oct. 21, 1867, Edwin P. 
Snow, Stanley T. Pullen and S. Orman Brown; Oct. 18, 1870, 
Elbridge A. Thompson, Theodore Wyman and David R. Straw. 
Jr.; Oct. 15, 1872, Elias J. Hale and William Buck; Oct. 21, 1873, 
William P. Oakes ; Oct. 19, 1875, Ezra Towne and Benjamin F. 
Hammond; Oct. 17, 1876, Augustus W. Oilman; Oct. 15, 1878, 
Augustus G. Lebroke ; Oct. 19, 1880, Josiah B. Mayo; Oct. 18, 
1887, Willis E. Parsons, James B. Cochrane and William T. Stubbs; 
Oct. 15, 1889, Joseph B. Peaks and John F. Hughes; Oct. 25. 1892, 
Crowell C. Hall; Oct. 30, 1894, Edward J. Mayo; Oct. 23, 1895, 
James Bathgate; Oct. 27, 1898. Frank E. Guernsey; Oct. 29, 1900, 
Henry S. Towne; Oct. 31, 1906, Charles W. Hayes; Oct. 29, 1908, 
Walter J. Mayo; Oct. 25. 191 1, Liston P. Evans; Sept. 27, 1912. 
F. C. Peaks. 

Much credit is due to those members in the early days, who, liv- 
ing at a distance, were constant at the meetings of the trustees and 
active in their support of the institution, notably Colonel William 
Oakes of Sangerville and Joseph Kelsey of Guilford, both of whom 
were at different times president of the board. 

The presidents of the board, in their order have been Daniel 
Wilkins, Thomas Williams, Nathaniel Robinson, Abram Sanborn, 
Thomas Davee, Joseph Kelsey. Dennis Lambert, James S. Holmes. 
William Oakes, Elihu B. Averill, Stephen P. Brown, Ephraim 
Flint, Elias J. Hale, Calvin Chamberlain, Alexander M. Robinson. 
Elbridge A. Thompson and the present incumbent. Josiah B. Mayo. 
The secretaries have been six in number, James S. Holmes. 
Thomas Davee, John Bradbury, Caleb Prentiss, James S. Wiley and 
Willis E. Parsons. 



HISTORY OF FOXCROFT ACADEMY in 



In 87 years there have been seven treasurers, Samuel Chamber- 
lain. Charles P. Chandler, James S. Wiley, Freeland S. Holmes, 
Ephraim Flint, James S. Wiley. Willis E. Parsons and Walter J. 
Mayo. 

The Teachers. 

From the records of the secretary and books of the treasurer, a 
list of preceptors is gleaned and here given in the order in which 
they were employed and approximately their terms of service: 

James S. Holmes, 1822-3; James Gooch, spring of 1824; Charles 
P. Chandler, fall of 1824 and until 1827; Samuel H. Blake, spring 
of 1827; Charles P. Chandler, fall of 1827; Randall A. Sanborn. 
Mr. Richardson. Dr. Stevens, William H. Ropes and James S. 
Wiley, then fill up the time to 1838; Thomas Moulton. fall term of 
1838; Robert Wyman, spring term of 1839; and Samuel Johnson, 
fall term of 1839; Mr. Dole. 1840; Ezra Abbot. 1841 ; Thomas Tash 
from 1842 to 1848; in 1845, David Bugbee. late of Bangor, held 
h's first writing school in the academy. Samuel F. Humphrey 
taught, 1848 to 1851 ; J. F. Butterfield, 1851-3; Freeland S. Holmes, 
1854; Warren Johnson, fall of 1854; Silas Hardy. 1855: F. C- 
Davis, 1856-7 S. C. Belcher, 1858-60; Mark Pitman. 1861-3; 
Stanley T. Pullen. 1864; W^illiam S. Knowlton, 1865; M. C. Fer- 
nald, 1866-8; J. G. Soule. 1868-70; James S. Rowfell. 1871-3 ; 
Thomas N. Lord. 1873; William S. Rix, 1874; William Goldth- 
waite, spring of 1875; James R. Brackett. fall of 1875 to 1878; 
Edwin P. Sampson, 1878-83; Stephen A. Lowell, 1883-4; Frank 
Rollins, 1884; R. E. Donnell, 1885-88; C. E. B. Libby and G. H. 
Libby. 1888-90; Eugene L. Sampson. 1890-4; William F. Sims. 
1895: W. R. Fletcher, 1896-8: Lyman K. Lee, 1898-1903; Fred U, 
Ward, 1903-1907; 1907 to September 191 1, Louis B. Farnham ; 
1911. G. W. Cole. 

Famous Alumni. 

Among the alumni of Foxcroft Academy have been many who 
have distinguished themselves in civil and military life. Hon. 
Josiah Crosby, late of Dexter, is remembered for his great ability 
and legal acumen. Hon. N. A. Luce, once State superintendent of 
schools, is still remembered. 

Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, president of the National Woman's 
Christian Temperance LTnion received her early training in this 
academy as did Hon. Charles E. Littlefield, late distinguished mem- 



112 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 

Ler of Congress; the late Hon. Samuel F. Humphrey of Bangor, 
Hon. Alfred E. Buck, late minister to Japan, now deceased; the 
late Hon. A. G. Lebroke of Foxcroft, and Hon. A. M. Robinson of 
Dover. The late Hon. Lewis Barker, the lawyer, and David 
Barker, the poet, were both educated in this institution. 

M. C. Fernald, so long president of the college of Orono, received, 
a part of his training here, and there were the military heroes, Gen- 
eral Jameson, Col. Calvin S. Douty, Col. Charles P. Chandler, Col. 
Lowell, Col. Clark, and a hundred more gallant defenders of the 
Union in her hour of peril, better qualified to serve their country by 
reason of the instructions received in the old academy. 

The roll of honor embracing many, many distinguished citizens 
both living and dead, is a long one, too long to be given here, as I 
must close. 

Already Maine is indebted to this academy as to but few others 
within her borders, and may the years to come increase its powers 
and prolong its usefulness to the State and nation. 

It stands today a monument to those sturdy pioneers, who, by 
great sacrifice and heroic devotion to the cause of education, 
wrought valiantly in establishing for their own and succeeding 
generations such an institution of learning. 



Schools and Schoolhouses 

By SuPT. W. H. Sturtevant. 

The space of time allotted to me for the preparation of this 
article prohibits the careful study necessary to establish the accu- 
racy of certain valuable historical information ; while any attempt 
to give the complete history of the common schools of Foxcroft 
would simply weary the listener. 

I shall at this time give just a brief account of our earliest 
common schools, the location of some of the first schoolhouses 
the names of early teachers, a flash light picture of school condi- 
tions in the town of Foxcroft nearly one hundred years ago, and 
contrast with that picture school conditions of the present, and 
allow some historian of the future to fill out the intervening space. 

The earliest schools were, no doubt, held in private houses, or 
in barns, and in some of the school districts of Foxcroft there were 
no school houses until about 1830. or even later. In fact, persons 



SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES 



II 



are still living in town who were fifteen or sixteen years of age 
before they ever entered a school house. The school in their dis- 
trict having been in a private house until they had reached that 
age. 

It is stated that the first school in Foxcroft was kept by Miss 
Betsey Mitchell, the daughter of William Mitchell of East Dover, 
in a barn which stood on what is now the farm of Albert H. Boss. 
Miss Giddings of Brunswick also taught in this barn. 

The settlers in the southeastern part of the town, which is now 
East Dover, but which at that time was considered a part of Fox- 
croft, sent their children to a private school in the house of Eli 
Towne. It is said and verified that one of those who taught here 




Foxcroft Village School. 



was a man who brought a jug of rum with him each morning and 
kept it behind the door in the hall, occasionally slipping into the 
hall to test its quality. In what is now the village limits of Fox- 
croft, there was also a private school wdiich at one time was located 
in what is now the old part of Foxcroft Exchange. 

The first school building erected by the town was in 1813 when 
a townhouse was built to be used for schools and also for religious 
and town meetings. 

This building which was twenty by twenty-five feet cost $100, 
and was located on upper ]\rain street, where the residence of W. J. 
Fldridge now stands. This building in all probabilitv continued 



114 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



to be used for school purposes until 1822, when it was sold at auc- 
tion. 

At about this time, Eli Towne erected a school house in the East 
Dover settlement opposite where Henry Towne lives at the present 
time. This was a square room with a square roof. For seats, 
planks were placed along the walls. No desks were in the house. 
Books were few, necessitating that many use the same copy. The 
room was not finished inside. Spruce studs were used with the bark 
on them, only being scored down on one side with an axe so that 
boards could be nailed to them. This building was later moved 
nearer the upper village, and finally was destroyed by fire. 

This schoolhouse probably accommodated the scholars in the 
southeastern section of the town until about 1822. In 1814 the 
town voted not to build a schoolhouse in the north west district of 
the town. 

The amount of money raised for school purposes in 1813 was 
$125 ; and from this time on the amount raised by the town was 
increased each year until in 1820 the town voted $200. This same 
year, 1820, the town elected Eliphalet Washburn, Nathaniel Car- 
penter, and Daniel Buck as a committee to divide the town into 
school districts. 

At the next town meeting the committee reported the following 
division: District No. i, to include the village limits and west to 
the Guilford line; District No. 2, was east of the village and in- 
cluded the "Washburn neighborhood'' and east to the Sebec line ; 
District No. 3, was northwest of the village, the present Gilman 
school neighborhood ; District No. 4 was the territory north of the 
village ; No. 5 and No. 6 were respectively the northeast and north- 
west sections of the town. 

As to how many scholars were in these districts in 1820 I am 
unable to ascertain but in 1827, District No. i, had 47 scholars; 
No. 2, had 34; No. 3 and 6 which were combined had a total of 61 ; 
District No. 4 had 45 ; District No. 5 had 10 and District No. 7 
had 13, a total of 219 scholars for the town; and the instruction of 
tliese pupils for the year cost the town $312.31. 

In 1824 the people of Foxcroft Center, District No. 5, engaged 
Samuel Palmer of Dover to teach a winter school. This was taught 
in- Mr. Hersey's house, and the following summer a school was 
held in a barn a little east of the house of C. A. Harmon's. Dur- 
ing this summer (1825) the old school house at Foxcroft Center 
was built. As its location was near the center of the town this 



SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLHOUSES ir 



building was used for a great many years for religious and town 
meetings. This schoolhouse served the pupils of the district until 
1903 when it was replaced by the present modern structure. 

The records of the Gilman school District begin in 1828 and at 
the first meeting in May of that year, the voters deliberate as to 
whether they shall sell or repair their old schoolhouse. The build- 
ing then stood opposite where Harrison Chandler lives. For year.*^ 
the question of location and whether to build a new schoolhouse or 
repair the old was discussed in nearly every meeting of the district. 
It was not until 1849 that the present Gilman school house was 
erected. The voters of the district not being able to agree upon a 
location the selectmen of the town were finally called into the dis- 
trict meeting and after hearing both sides decided the schoolhouse 
should be located upon the spot where it now stands. 

As to what time the first schoolhouse in "Washburn neighbor- 
liood," District No. 2, was built, I am unable to ascertain, but it was 
probably between the years 1822 and 1830. In 1822 we find the 
scholars of Deacon Washburn and Major Crooker, the two lead- 
ing families of the neighborhood, attending school in the Dow 
schoolhouse then located one-half mile south of East Dover. When 
erected the schoolhouse stood at the top of the hill northeast from 
the residence of Luther Averill. It was later moved toward the 
north until it stood half way between the two roads upon the farm 
owned by Mr. Lee. Still later it was moved still farther to the 
north and became the present "Lee schoolhouse.'' 

In the village, the old schoolhouse. or town-house, erected in 
T813 served the district until about 1822, and at about this time a 
second building was erected, but just where this building stood. I 
am unable to find any record. Tradition has placed it upon the 
v.est side of North street on the lot now occupied by B. A. Thomas. 
^^d^erever it stood, it was replaced bv a new school building which 
\\ as built in about 1840, and which is the "old schoolhouse" which 
many of the old inhabitants remember as standing upon North- 
street on the Vaughan lot. 

This building was otitgrown and in 1873 the present grammar 
school building was erected. 

The wages of the teachers in these early schools as well as the 
price of board form an interesting contrast with present conditions. 

The winter term was generally kept by a "master," and was to 
weeks or in some cases, eleyen weeks in length. The summer 
term, kept by a "mistress" was generally a ten weeks' term, and 
5 



ii6 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



for her salary she received the magniticent sum of one dollar per 
week and board, or if experienced and of especialy ability, as high 
as one dollar and seventy-five cents per week. The teacher's board 
was bid oli' at the annual meeting of the district. For the board 
of the "master," the town paid $1.50 or $1.75 per week, while the 
"mistress" was bid off for about 90 cents. If the price paid for 
board is any indication the "teacher" was desired for the social 
rather than the financial gain. 

The furnishing of wood for these early schoolhouses came up 
at the annual district meeting and was generally bid off by some 
person in the district. The prices paid for fuel ranging from 60 
cents to 90 cents per cord for wood delivered and piled at the 
schoolhouse. The studies which occupied the attention of the pupils 
were for the most part the "three R's" reading, w^riting and arith- 
metic with spelling and grammar for good measure. History and 
geography were in the making and the pupils learned these at home 
by listening to the conversation around the fire place rather than 
from a text book at school. The old time lyceum and the spelling 
bee must not be forgotten in a historical picture of these early days, 
but each would require more time and space than could be given 
here. 

Some of the teachers who taught in the town of Foxcroft be- 
tween the years 1826 and 1836 are the following: Alphonso Whit- 
man, Sarah S. Sprague, W. Godwin, George C. Campbell, Ira Allen. 
Estsy Dwinell, Samuel Palmer, Elisha Daggett, R. K. Rice, Thatch- 
er Blake. Jr.. Sally Buck. ]Minerva Garland, Jane Thayer, Susan 
P. Greeley and Ruth Daggett. 

I cannot close this paper without showing what Foxcroft is doing 
along educational lines at the present time. 

In 1813 the town of Foxcroft had one schoolhouse valued at 
$100. In 1912 the estimated value of our school buildings and 
equipment was $16,000. In 181 3 the town of Foxcroft expended 
S125 for common schools, this past year we expended over $6800. 
In 1 81 2 there were probably about 80 scholars in the town, the 
census of 1912 gives us 457. In all educational matters there has 
been a corresponding growth and the pioneer spirit of earlv days 
is still manifest in the desire to place Foxcroft schools in the front 
ranks. We were the first towns in the county to introduce regular 
instruction in music and drawing. Music being introduced into 
the Foxcroft schools in 1900 and drawing in 1910. At the present 
time. Dover and Foxcroft hire a special teacher as supervisor of 



PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES OF FOXCROFT ii; 



music and drawing. For the sake of improving their schools, 
Dover and Foxcroft formed a union in 1903, the second district 
to be formed in the State for professional supervision of schools. 

We were one of the first towns in the State to send boxes of 
books from the public library into the rural schools, and also one 
of the first to send pupils to the library for regular instruction. 

We have in our town a high school that practically governs itself, 
the only school in the State where the School City form of govern- 
ment exists. During the past year manual training has been mtro- 
duced into our schools. 

Ovir citizens are all interested ; our teachers are trained and ex- 
perienced ; our schools are the equal of any in the State. 

The spirit of self sacrifice and progressiveness in educational mat- 
ters, shown so clearly by the early settler of Foxcroft, is still an 
active force in the town of Foxcroft in 191 2. 



Patriotic Societies of Foxcroft 

By Mrs. Sarah A. Marttn. 

Organization, 1886 — C. S. Douty, W. S. R. C, No. 42. was or- 
ganized in Favor's Hall, Foxcroft, May 13th, i88(\\ with twenty- 
four charter members. President, Mrs. Sarah Lucas Martin ; Sec- 
retary, Mr. Abbie Z. Holmes. 

Qualification for Membership, and Change of Name — The mem- 
bership of this organization consisted of wives, mothers, daughters 
and sisters of soldiers and sailors of the Civl W^ar. This kind of 
membership, restricted to wives, mothers, daughters and sisters, it 
has always maintained, though in process of time, for loyal reasons, 
the name was changed to that of C. S. Douty Circle. No. 16, 
Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, which name it now 
bears. 

Employment of New Name. — Although this change of name was 
n.ot made until Nov. 5th, 1905. and although until that date, the 
organization was working under the name of C. S. Douty, W. S. 
R. C. No. 42, to avoid confusion the name of C. S. Douty Circle, 
No. 16. Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, will herein- 
after be employed in this pa}:)er, no matter to what period of the 
history of the organization reference is made. 



ii8 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Removal to Dover, 1889. — \\'ith the ease which has characterized 
organization in these twin villages, although our charter named 
Foxcroft as our home, owing to the increase in our membership 
and the inadequacy of Favor's Hall, after about three years we 
removed without any special formality to Dover. Our first meeting 
was held in Sampson's Hall on March 20th, 1889, where we resided 
in peace and ever increasing prosperity for a period of about four 
years. 

Material Prosperity. — We added much to our household goods, 
but the first record I find of money deposited in the bank, was 
from the proceeds of a Centennial Observance of Washington's 
Inauguration, April 30th. 1889. Later the net receipts of a lecture 
by Mary A. Livermore of $30 was added thereto, and a Trades Car- 
nival in February, 1890, yielded net $270. 

Incited by this, we began to treasure thoughts of a hall for our- 
selves and the soldier organizations. We gave suppers and held 
entertainments in Sampson's Hall, all liberally patronized, and laid 
up much pelf. 

Communication from Knights of Pythias. — Then the Knights of 
Pythias, having leased the hall, we were astounded at receiving the 
following communication from them under date of Feb. 24, 1893 : 

"By vote of the Lodge it has been decided there shall be no 
refreshments of any kind in the lodge-room. Neither shall there 
be any public entertainment in the lodge-room. Voted that the 
janitor shall be instructed not to open the hall for any such purpose. 

C. H. CUSHING, C. C. 
R. W. Hughes, K. of R. & S." 

Return to Foxcroft, 1893. — r)ur means of acquisition thus being 
torn from us, I find this vote appearing in the same record of the 
Ladies of the G. A. R., "Moved, seconded and voted that we re- 
move immediately to Town Hall in Foxcroft." We did so, return- 
ing to the town of our birth and the cradle of our liberty, the record 
of the first meeting in Town Hall being on March 10, 1893. 

This action, so innocent in appearance and intent, was fraught 
with consequences of importance. 

C. S. Douty Post Separated from Us. — The birth-place of C. S. 
Douty Post, like our own, was in Favor's Hall, Foxcroft, and its 
charter named Foxcroft as its home. Like us it had migrated in- 
formally to Dover. We had assisted them on Memorial Days and 
divers other occasions through the period of seven blissful years. 



PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES OF FOXCROFT 119 



They now looked with disfavor on this independent act, and took 
unto themselves another organization, not restricted to wives, 
mothers, daughters and sisters. 

Organization of Charles Peleg Chandler Post, 1893. — Hence on 
Nov. 21, 1893, a petition from E. T. Crockett, O. P. Martin and 
twenty-one others for the formation of a Post in Foxcroft was 
granted by W'ainwright Cushing Department Commander of the 
G. A. R. of Maine, and on Nov. 23, 1893, was organized with twen- 
ty-three members under the name of Charles Peleg Chandler Post, 
for Major Charles Peleg Chandler, a citizen of Foxcroft, a graduate 
of Harvard and a gallant soldier, killed on the battlefield. 

Incorporation, 1893. — For many reasons it seemed wise that the 
Ladies of the G. A. R. should become incorporated. This was con- 
summated on August II, 1893. State President Mrs. Samuel L. 
Miller of Waldoboro and State Inspecting Officer Mrs. Atwood of 
Auburn were present. Hon. Willis E. Parsons acted as legal 
advisor and in the record of Aug. 25, I find recorded a copy of his 
receipted bill for his professional services, freely given us. A vote 
of thanks is recorded which we wish to renew in this paper. 

Dedication of Soldiers' Monument — On Oct. 21, 1893, under the 
direction of the G. A. R. occurred the dedication of the Soldiers' 
Monument, situated in the square, where drilled the boys of '6i-'65 
in preparation for going to the front. I have no record of the exer- 
cises of that day, but our book shows that the Ladies of the G. A. R. 
served a free dinner to some four hundred people, the citizens of 
Foxcroft generously contributing with supplies. The rooms of the 
entire second floor of [he Opera House were used as dining-rooms. 

Purchase of Present Home. — In D^ember, 1895, the organiza- 
tion having long desired a home of their own purchased of Timothy 
L. Jennison his shop situated on North street, Foxcroft, for $1200. 
7'he building was but a shell and extensive repairs as well as re- 
modeling were needed. With a membership of 82 and a bank ac- 
count of $942 this was undertaken. One hundred dollars of this 
sum was the gift by will of Mrs. Emily S. Douty, a valued member 
and widow of Col. Calvin S. Douty, for whom our organization is 
named. 

The building was insured for $1000. One thousand dollars was 
obtained by loan from the Building Association, who held the 
mortgage. A building committee, consisting of Mrs. Sarah Buck 
Davis, Mrs. D. M. Whittredge and Mrs. Sarah Lucas Martin, was 
appointed, who invited from the Post to assist them. Comrades 



I20 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



O. P, Martin, A. P. Buck and J. H. Steward. To these comrades 
they were deeply indebted. 

A committee on ways and means was also appointed, namely ; 
Mrs. A. P. Buck, Mrs. Ellen Ober and Mrs. Eliza Ladd. The 
tirst floor was fitted up as a store and readily leased. 

Charles Peleg Chandler Post fitted up the third floor as a Post- 
room and continued to occupy it as such until they disbanded on 
May 26, 1906, about 13 years after their organization. 

Placing of Cannon. — It was through Chandler Post, Comrade 
Martin acting as committee, that the cannon on the monument 
grounds were obtained from the Navy Yard and placed in position. 

Memorial Gift to Charles Peleg Chandler Post. — The evening of 
Dec. 2;^, 1908, was a most pleasant occasion. A beautiful and valu- 
able memorial volume was presented to Charles Peleg Chandler 
Post by the brothers J. B. and J. G. Mayo and their sons, Edward 
J. and Walter J., in memory of their father and grandfather, the 
late Hon. John Gould Mayo. In the volume are now inscribed the 
war records of the veterans. The volume is deposited in Thomp- 
son Free Library. 

Disbanding of That Post. — We are indebted to Charles Peleg 
Chandler Post for aid and courtesies and many pleasant social hours 
through those busy years. On disbanding they turned over to the 
Ladies of the G. A. R., tables, chairs and flags, also the picture of 
Major Chandler which holds an honored position in our room. 

The first meeting of the Ladies of the G. A. R. in their new 
building, the second floor, was Feb. 14, 1886. 

The repairs immediately necessary when com])leted, as reported 
by Mrs. Davis, the careful and exact chairman of the building com- 
mittee, amounted to $934.16. 

Completion of Payment for Home. — We pass swiftly over the 
following eleven years, to the joyful payment of the last assessment 
in the Building Association and the burning of the mortgage on July 
16, 1907. 

During that time we had further improved the building. 

Cu.ster Command, Union Veterans LTnion.— For sixteen years, 
Custer Command. Union Veterans Union, has been a most pleasant 
and profitable tenant, also good comrades. Their meetings are held 
in the same room on alternate Tuesdays from ourselves. Twenty 
of their number are honorary members of our organization and 
many of them are members of our former companion organiza- 



PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES OF FOXCROFT 121 



tion, C. S. Douty Post. The free use of the small hall on the 
upper floor we have voted to Cvil War veterans as a club-room. 

Real Object of the Organization Being Carried On. — We are 
pleased to note that through those years, with debt upon us, we 
then, as now, forgot not the prime nature of our organization ; the 
aiding of the needy, the sick and the sorrowing of families of 
soldiers and sailors. 

We did some other things as well : A benefit for the band netted 
some $80. We instituted the first successful efforts to resurrect 
the old Cemetery Association, and paid the first $25 toward putting 
the water in the cemetery. 

We have placed flags- in every schoolroom in Foxcroft and fur- 
nished a room in the Academy at an expense of $80. We share the 
labors and duties of Memorial Day and forget not the graves of 
our own dead. We send each autumn some gift to the Good Will 
Home, for there, sons and grandsons of veterans are under its fos- 
tering care. 

Present Membership and (Officers. — We now have a member- 
ship of 76 active and 22 honorary members. We are out of debt 
with a little surplus. The efficient chair officers at present are : 

President, Mrs. Nancy Bearce. 

Secretary, Mrs. Lola B. Hayes. 

Treasurer, Mrs. Evelyn D. Buck. 

Conclusion. — With the fleeting years, the mothers who so loyally 
and unselfishly gave to our country their sons, have passed. 

Duty of Daughters and Granddaughters — The wives and sisters 
are keeping step adown the hill of life with the aging veterans. 
Upon the daughters and the granddaughters rests the duties and 
the privileges which have been ours. 

When one hundred years more shall have passed, and at our 
second Centennial some one shall stand where I now stand and tell 
the story of the years, it will be her glory as a descendant of a 
Civil War veteran to say, 'T am a daughter of the Grand Army of 
the Republic." 

Brief Sketch of Custer Command. 

Organization. 1896. — Custer Command, No. 16, Union Veterans 
I'nion of Battle-field Soldiers, Department of Maine, was instituted 
in Town Hall. Foxcroft, April 30. 1896, bv Col. F. F. De Merritte. 
National mustering officer, assisted by Lt. Col. Lewis Sell)ing, chief 
mustering officer. Department of Maine. 



122 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Charter Members — The charter members were twelve in number, 
namely : 

Wainwright Gushing, William W. Miller, Osgood P. Martin. 
Leonard H. Washburn. John G. Herring, Edward L. Emery. Fer- 
nando Pratt. Isaiah B. Davis. Sewall C. Shaw, Asa S. Davis. Job 
S. Bearce, William W. Warren. 

Five of these charter members have answered to the last roll 
call. The next meeting was held in the Post room of Charles 
I'eleg Chandler Post on North street, Foxcroft, May 12, 1896. At 
this meeting was received a communication from the C. S. Douty, 
W. S. R. C, now C. S. Douty Circle. Ladies of the G. A. R., offer- 
ing the Command the use of their hall free of rent for all future 
meetings, paying only for heating, lighting and janitor service. 
The Command extended a vote of thanks for the generous offer 
and friendliness, but voted instead to pay full value for its use 
and have occupied it continuously ever since, over sixteen years in 
perfect harmony and to their mutual advantage. 

Colonels of the Command. — -The Colonels of Custer Command 
have been: Wainwright Gushing, 1896; J. G. Herring, 1897, 
Osgood P. Martin, 1898; Wm. W. Warren. 1899; Volney A. Gray, 
1900; Wainwright Gushing, 1901 ; Job S. Bearce, 1902; Elbridge 
T. Douglas, 1903 ; W. W. Miller, 1904 ; E. T. Crockett, 1905 : E. B. 
Fox. 1906; E. T. Monroe, 1907; E. T. Monroe, 1908; E. G. Mor- 
rill. 19C9; E. T. Monroe. 1910; E. T. Monroe. 191 1 ; E. T. Monroe, 
1912. 

Qualifications for Membership. — The organization of Union 
Veterans Laiion is peculiar in that it is composed only of those 
who on land or on sea actually battled foi^ a nation's life; who have 
rendered at least six months' continuous service in the army or 
navy and have faced the enemy in battle. 

Marked Growth of the Command. — Such is the membership of 
Custer Command. Organizing with but twelve members, they have 
prospered and grown in membership till now they are the largest 
Command in the United States ; substantially proving that here in 
this little corner of the old State of Maine, went forth many who 
stood shoulder to shoulder where bullets hummed and stricken 
comrades fell. 

Membershii) Statistics. — Custer Command has mtistered in its 
ranks 180 in all. The largest membership at any time was 118. 
The number of members at the present time is iii. 



THE MASONIC FRATERNITY . 123 

Conclusion. — The days of active mustering o.f battle-field soldiers 
are well over. To the sons and grandsons must they look for 
recruits in an honorary membership to aid and maintain when the 
"keepers of the house shall tremble." Yet still they sing in un- 
broken voices : 

"We've stood on many a battle-field 
A firm unbroken line 
And faced the foe and scorned to yield 
In days of Auld lang syne. 

And as the years roll swiftly by 

And weaker grows the line 
Let's keep together till we die 

For the sake of Auld lang syne. 



The Masonic Fraternity 

By John F. Sprague. 

Mosaic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, was granted a char- 
ter by the Grand Lodge of Maine, July i6th, 1827. Charles Fox 
v/as Grand Master, George Thatcher was Senior Grand Warden, 
Robert P. Dunlap, subsequently Governor of Maine, was Junior 
Grand Warden, and William Lord, Grand Secretary. 

The charter members were William Frost, Moses L. Hobbs, 
Joseph Kelsey, James S. Holmes, Salmon Holmes, Tolman Cary, 
Hiram Folsom. Solomon Cushman, Andrew Cushman, Samuel 
Roby. John McLaughlin, George Haskell, Jedediah P. Leland and 
Samuel Pingree. 

The first meeting of this Lodge was held at Carleton's Hall in 
Sangerville on the 19th day of November, 1827. 

The members present were William Frost, W. M., Samuel Roby. 
S. \\'.. Jedediah P. Leland, J. W., Joseph Kelsey, Tyler, Samuel 
Pingree, John McLaughlin, Solomon Cushman, Salmon Holmes 
and James S. Holmes, Addison Martin, Appolos Pond and Orrin 
Morse. 

James S. Holmes was chosen Secretary, Joseph Kelsey, Treas- 
urer, Orin Morse was S. D., Jedediah P. Leland. J. D., John Mc- 
Laughlin, S. S., and Salmon Holmes was J. S. The following were 



124 -SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



made a committee to draft and report a code of by-laws : J. S. 
Holmes, Moses L. Hobbs, Pierce P. Furber and \\'illiam Frost. 

The second annual meeting was held December 17, 1828, when 
Samuel Roby was elected W. M. and John McLaughlin Secretary. 
Samuel Roby was re-elected W. M. in 1829. In 1830 Pierce P. 
Furber was elected W. M., and 1S31, John McLaughlin was elected 
to this ofiice. 

The intense and bitter opposition to Free Masonry which had 
such a strange and almost phenomenal growth for several years 
throughout this country, extended to the State of Maine, and the 
lodges here sufifered as elsewhere. It is evident from the few 
meetings which it held during the year 1831 that it was in a strug- 
gle for existence. 

At the annual meeting December 14th, 1831. it was voted to 
suspend the operation of the sixteenth article of the by-laws which 
provided for the payment of annual dues of one dollar a year. 

At this meeting James S. Holmes was elected Worshipful Mas- 
ter and John McLaughlin Secretary. The last meeting of that year 
was held February 15th, in Carleton's Hall in Sangerville, wdien 
there were present James S. Holmes, W'. M., Samuel Roby, S. \^^ ; 
M'oodman W. Magoon, S. D. pro tern ; William R. Goodwin, Sec- 
retary pro tem ; B. Haskell, S. D., and Salmon Holmes, J. D. 

This Lodge did not hold another meeting or communication and 
did no Masonic work of record till April 9th, 1845, when they met 
in Foxcroft and again made choice of James S. Holmes for Master 
and other officers to serve till the next annual meeting. 

It does not appear in what place this meeting was held, but it was 
presumably at Academy Hall, as the next meeting of May 21st was 
held there. At the annual meeting in December. 1845. James S. 
Holmes was elected W. M. and at the annual meeting in 1846. 
Elihu B. Averill was elected to that office. R. K. Rice had been 
Secretary during the past year and this year was elected S. W. 
Mordicai Mitchell was made a proxy to attend the Grand Lodge. 

The names of Russell Kittredge. Charles P. Chandler and S. L. 
Carpenter appear frequently at this time. Elihu B. Averill was 
also Master in 1847. '48 and '49. In 1851 John Sherwood was 
elected Master and also in 1852. In 1853 James S. Wiley was 
Master, in 1854 E. B. Averill. in 1855 James S. Wiley, in 1856 
Sands Bailey, in 1857 Edward P. Edes, in 1858 James S. Wiley, 
in 1859 and '60 E. B. Averill. in 1861 James S. Wiley, in 1862 Ivory 
H. Jordan, in 1863 W. H. Edes, in 1864-5 Nathaniel Parsons. 



THE MASONIC FRATERNITY 



125 



Vol. I of the records of this Lodge begins with the first meeting, 
Nov. 19, 1827, and ends with the record of the annual meeting, 
December 8, 1864. The officers elected at this meeting were : 
Nathaniel Parsons, W. M. Charles F. Greene, S. W. ; S. M. Sewall, 
J . W. ; James S. Wiley, T. ; A. P. Buck, Sec. ; T. Hibbard. S. D. ; 
T. L. Jennison, |. D. ; F E. Hutchins, S S. ; Daniel W'hittredge. J. 
S. 

Among the names frequently appearing in these early records 
are those of John H. Rice, D. W. Hussey, L. O. Farnham, Daniel 
Wyman, Edward Jewett, A. B. Brockway, Charles I'. Chandler, 
Ivory H. Jordan, Samuel Webber, Simeon Mudgett, William Paine, 
William McCoomb, A. J. Chase, Henry C. Pratt, Richard Dear- 
born and Hiram Doutv. either as officers, members or visitors. 




Monument Square and Foxcroft Bridge, Masonic 
Block in the Distance 



At a meeting Sept. 15, 1857, the visiting brethren were Lewis 
Barker and his brother David Barker, the well known Maine poet. 

On January 16, 1862, there was a public installaton of the officers 
of the lodge when David Barker was expected to be present, "but,"' 
the record says, "did not make his appearance owing to the bad 
state of the travelling and a poem lately from his pen was read by 
Bro. Averill.'' 

This was that stirring and patriotic poem by Barker, "The Old 
Ship of State," which may be found in his published works. 



126 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



This was followed by singing "Burns' Farewell" and "Auld Lang 
Syne." 

The record of this meeting closes as follows: 

Thus closed the festivities of the evening and we cannot doubt 
that the occasion will long be remembered by all present, and that 
rhe Brethen separated with a warmer feeling of Brotherly love and 
a stronger attachment to the principles incarnated by the order." 

In the Second Volume of records the name of Louis Annance, the 
old Chief of the St. Francis tribe of Indians, who lived around 
Moosehead Lake for so many years, occasionally appears as a vis- 
itor. 

Since the year 1865 the Worshipful Masters have been : Charles 
F. Green, William Buck, Stanley T. PuUen, Elbridge A. Thompson, 
S. B. Jackson, Jas. E. Rowell. Asa S. Davis, James T. Roberts, Wm. 
T. Elliott, Wainwright Cushing, Thomas P. Elliott, Marcell W. 
Hall, D. E. Dinsmore, F. D. Folsom, John C. Cross, W. W. Thayer. 
W. L. Stoddard, C. W. Brown, Allen P. Clark, F. H. Glover, W. C. 
Woodbury, W. M. Steward, R. W. Hughes, W. W. Blethen, F. G. 
Warren, V. L. Warren, B. B. Anderson, J. W. Hawkins, E. S. 
Genthner, and E. W. Crocker. 

In 187071 this Lodge erected the Masonic Block in Foxcroft 
in which is its present commodious and beautiful hall. 

This hall was dedicated in accordance with the customs and rites 
of the Order, June 22, 187 1. 

The Piscataquis Observer in its report of this said : 

"The dedication of the new Masonic Hall in Union Square in 
this village occurred yesterday with imposing ceremonies. 

"The services were participated in by all the Masonic bodies in 
the county, and also Olive Branch Lodge of Charleston, Penobscot 
Lodge of Dexter, DeMolay Commandery of Skowhegan, and St. 
John's Commandery of Bangor. 

"For two days previous the weather had been 'showery,' but on 
Wednesday nature gratified the craft with as beautiful a day as 
could have been desired. 

"At an early hour the people began to arrive from the surrounding 
towns, and by ten o'clock it began to be wonderful where so many 
people came from. The hotels were full — the streets were crowded ; 
until it was intimated that never had so many people been together 
in the county before. 



THE MASONIC FRATERNITY 127 

"At 10.30 the special train on the Piscataquis road brought the 
Bangor Commandery, which was escorted to the Eoxcroft Exchange 
by the Skowhegan Commandery which had arrived the evening 
previous, and had been quartered at the Blethen House. 

"At eleven o'clock W. M. John H. Lynde, Grand Master of the 
Grand Lodge of Maine, conducted the services at the hall, which 
were said to be grand and impressive. 

"At noon the procession formed under the direction of Chief 
Marshal J. B. Peaks, as follows: 

Order of Procession. 

Aid. Aid. 

Pro. G. F. Dan forth. Bro. T. P. Elliott. 

FIRST DIVISION. 

Bro. M. W. Brown, Marshall 

Bangor Cornet Band 

St. John Commandery K. T., Bangor 

Doric Lodge, Monson 

Mt. Kineo Lodge. Abbot 

Mosaic Lodge, Dover and Eoxcroft. 

SECOND DIVISION. 

Bro. T. J. Peaks. Marshall 

Skowhegan Band 

DeMolay Commandery, K. T., Skowhegan 

Piscataquis Lodge, Milo 

Penobscot Lodge, Dexter. 

THIRD DIVISION " 
Bro. Wm. McComb, Marshall 
Corinth Cornet Band 
Olive Branch Lodge, Charleston 

M. W. Grand Lodge of Maine 
Orator, Poet and Invited Guests. 

"The line moved through Main street, Dover, to State street^ 
through State to Lincoln street in Eoxcroft, through Lincoln and 
Main street to Chamberlain's Grove, where the different organiza- 
tions hied into the tent provided for the occasion, and partook of a 
bountiful collation furnished by the wives, mothers, daughters and 
'sweethearts' of the members of Mosaic Lodge. 



128 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF 'MAINE HISTORY 

''After refreshments were served for the fraternity, an oration 
was pronounced by General Harris AI. Plaisted of Bangor, which 
was a credit to the orator and an honor to the fraternity to which 
he belonged. 

"The poem by David Barker, Esq., was in the author's happiest 
strain, and everybody was ready to shout 'Long live the King' — of 
Poets. 

"We never saw an affair better conducted, and never expect to 
>ee a more brilliant procession in the county." 

Gen. Plaisted, the orator of the day, above referred to, was des- 
tined to later serve the people of Maine as representative to Con- 
gress and Governor of Maine, and was the father of our present 
Chief Executive, the Hon. Frederick W. Plaisted. 

James S. Wiley was toastmaster, and there were responses by 
Lewis Barker of Bangor, Stunner A. Patten of Monson. Jeremiah 
Fenno of Bangor, John H. Lynde of Bangor, Rev. Mr. Fenlason of 
Exeter, Col. A. W. Wilds of Skowhegan, Wm. P. Young of Milo, 
and James Foss of Abbot. 

In 1 901 the Lodge owed a debt on this property amounting to 
$711.56. This amount was raised and paid by a subscription among 
the members. 

Its financial condition is now most excellent and satisfactory. 
The present membership is about 160 members. James T. Roberts, 
its efificient secretary, is now serving his twenty-seventh term. 

Only seven years after Maine had changed from a Province under 
Massachusetts to a sovereign member of the government of States, 
these worthy men living in widely separated places in a new anil 
sparsely settled region organized this Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons. 

Of the charter members Solomon and Andrew^ Cushman resided 
in Monson. Hiram Folsom either in Greenville or Monson, Samuel 
Pingree in Parkman, James S. Holmes, a prominent lawyer, in 
Eastern Maine, and others resided in Foxcroft and vicinity. 

When this Lodge was instituted Enoch Lincoln was Governor of 
Maine and John Holmes and Albion K. Parris represented the new 
State in the Senate of the United States. 

The history of its small and feeble beginnng, of its early struggles, 
its trials and adversities, its pathetic suspension of work for thirteen 
years in the dark days when the public mind was obsessed with an 
ignorant prejudice against this great fraternal order; and then when 
reason began to assert itself in the nation and the public viewed Free 



THE MASONIC FRATERNITY 129 



Masonry from a more rational and tolerant view-point, its loyalty 
to the sublime principles of the Masonic brotherhood, and its de- 
termination to renew the work of Free Masonry here in this com- 
munity and demonstrate that "Truth crushed to earth shall rise 
again," and its steady advancement to its present day of splendid 
].M-osperity, is an important part of the history of Foxcroft and of 
Piscataquis County. 

No accurate history of our county and its development and the 
evolution of the high character and the intelligence and integrity of 
its citizenship could ever be written without giving this story of 
the achievement of Mosaic Lodge a prominent place in its pages. 

And I will close this meagre and hastily drawn sketch by quoting 
the closing lines of Gen. Plaisted's oration on that bright June day 
more than half a century ago when he assisted in the dedication of 
Foxcroft's Masonic Temple. 

"Moreover, also, we are here taught the great lesson of Masonic 
labor, that the search after truth, that divine truth symbolized by the 
'lost word,' constitutes the work of life; and as it can never be 
thoroughly attained in this life, we must be content with its sulv- 
stitute, and wait with patience until the Iniilding of the second tem- 
ple — the temple of Eternal Life. 

"Finally. Brothers, may it be our happy lot thus skilfully to erect 
the living temple of thoughts, and words, and deeds, according to 
the designs laid dowm for us by the Grand Architect of the universe, 
and at last when raised from the filth and corruption of mortality, 
be accepted as living stones, fitted for a place in that temple not 
made with hands — Eternal in the Heavens." 



I30 5PRAGUE"S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 



Remarks of Willis E. Parsons at 

Dedication of Foxcroft's 

New Bridge 

It has been thought by many that this occasion, our looth anni- 
versary, would be a fitting time to dedicate the new bridge in which 
all our citizens take an honest pride. 

Poor indeed is that municipality which cares only for the present. 
Selfish and unworthy is any community that has no thought of the 
future, no desire to leave something for posterity. In all ages the 
world's great beacon fires have been kindled by men who loved 
humanity, who were spurred to great achievement and proud en- 
deavor by the inspiring thought that their work would live after 
them, a blessing to all posterity. 

So in the dedication of this bridge today, solid and substantial, 
erected for all time, or at least a thousand years, we feel that it is 
not alone for the benefit of the present generation, but when many 
centuries have rolled away here will stand a structure spanning the 
Piscataquis as it flows to the sea, speaking to the then flourishng 
jjopulation of the unselfish work of their fathers. W'e will have 
been forgotten, our records may be destroyed and every vestige of 
the men who fought for its construction disappear, but here will 
remain a monument to the whole town, speaking of the energy and 
loyal enterprise of the citizens who built not only for themselves 
but the generations to follow. 

Our early settlers, as the little community grew, felt the necessity 
of some kind of a bridge across the river between Foxcroft and 
Dover, but it was not until 1819, seven years after our incorpora- 
tion as a town that the people felt equal to the undertaking. 

At a town meeting held April 6, 1819. the inhabitants, then but a 
handful at most, less than fifty voters, voted to raise $150 in money 
and $500 in labor for a bridge across the Piscataquis, and that a 
man should receive $1.00 for eight hours" labor and a pair of oxen 
the same. 

The next year, March 20, voted to raise $500 in labor, and $100 
in grain, wheat at 8 shillings and rye at $1.00 and to allow 12^ cents 
per hour; and again, March 12, 1821, the town voted $" ")0 to be 
paid in grain at the same price, making $1,350 to build the bridge. 



DEDICATION OF FOXCROFT BRIDGE 



131 



That it was not an up-to-date structure is shown by the records 
as at a meeting Sept. 8, 1823, the town voted to repair the bridge. 
1825, voted to repair the bridge and raised $300. 1828, voted to 
choose a committee to examine the bridge, and then a few days 
later, Sept. 27, 1828, voted to choose a committee to agree upon a 
plan and make a draft for a new bridge across the Piscataquis 
where the old one stood. The committee later made a full report, 
with plan and bill of lumber, estimating the entire expense at 
$1,223.68, and that they would be allowed for the old bridge $153.00. 
The building of the bridge as finally struck ofif to Alden Z. Dwinal, 
he being the lowest bidder, for $1,300. 

This second bridge, completed in 1830, seems to have been no 
more substantial than the first as the next year, 1831, the town 








Foxcroft Bridge — 1854. 



raised $300 to repair the bridge. In 1834 they again voted to repair. 
In 1837, still more repairs. 

In 1842 the town chose a committee to examine the bridge, and 
that committee reported that on the south side they found most of 
the posts and long braces very rotten. Then began an old-fashioned 
bridge fight, and at a town meeting held Dec. 17. 1842, they voted 
to build a new bridge ; but only eight days later, on Dec. 25, the 
anti-bridge party prevailed for the town voted to reconsider the 
vote to build a new bridge and voted to repair the old bridge. 
6 



132 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 

March 13, 1843. another committee was appointed by the town to 
examine the bridge and its report was such that Nov. 25 of the same 
year, the town again voted to build a bridge, and that the contractor 
have his choice to build a brace bridge or an X bridge, and that the 
contractor have all the old bridge but the stone piers. Again the 
fight was on and the anti-bridge forces showed such strength that 
Dec. II, the same year it was voted to reconsider the vote to build 
a bridge and all other votes relative to a bridge. 

Voted to choose a committee to repair the bridge, but the rugged 
old fighters had worked up so much feeling that it was hard to 
find any of the leading citizens to act on that committee. Nathaniel 
Chamberlain refused and the town voted to excuse him and tried 
Chester Chamberlain. He refused and the town tried T. H. Cham- 
berlain, but the town had to excuse him also. Finally Leonard 
Robinson was chosen who with Caleb Prentiss and Amos Morse 
made up the committee on repairs. But the fight was not ended. 
A meeting was again called, Dec. 25, less than a month later, and 
the town again voted to build a bridge. Abel Turner, David Oilman 
and Moses Swett were chosen a committee. 

Dec. 30, a few days later, the town voted to build a covered 
bridge, but this was too much, a covered bridge, never ! And again 
the anti-bridge forces rallied and on the 9th of January, 1844, re- 
considered the vote to make it a covered bridge, and voted to build 
it like the old one and to be finished by the first day of November, 
1844, and gave the contractor the old bridge. In 1850 this bridge 
had to be repaired at an expense of $490. March 10, 185 1, a com- 
mittee was again appointed to examine the bridge. 

May 9, 1854, a freshet having swept away this bridge, the town 
voted to build a bridge across Piscataquis River at the village 
similar to the old one. May 20, voted to reconsider the vote to 
construct a bridge similar to the old one, and June 2 the town 
voted to build a bridge according to Howes' patent, and out of the 
votes at succeeding town meetings evolved in 1854 the Foxcroft 
bridge as used for 57 years, being repaired from time to time until 
last season when we saw it disappear forever, to be replaced by thf 
noble structure upon which we now stand. 

March 13, 191 1, the town voted that a committee of three be ap- 
pointed by the chair to ascertain the cost of a new bridge, also the 
cost of repairing the old structure. Made choice of E. J. Mayo, 
S. F. Atwood and O. P. Martin, committee. 



DEDICATION OF FOXCROFT BRIDGE 



133 



April II, 191 1, the inhabitants assembled in town meeting to 
hear the report of the committee and take action in relation to the 
bridge. I now quote from the records made by the town clerk. 

"Voted on motion of W. E. Parsons that the town build a con- 
crete bridge the present season across Piscataquis River on Main 
street, the roadway of which shall be not less than 30 feet wide with 
sidewalks on each side of not less than six feet, to take the place of 
the old wooden bridge. The number of ballots thrown 34C, 2n,. 
bemg 'yes' and 127 'no.' 

"On motion of W. E. Parsons voted that we authorize the select- 
men and town treasurer to execute in behalf of the town the obli- 
gations of the town either in notes or bonds as deemed best by the 




Foxcroft Bridge — 1911. 



finance committee, for a sum not exceeding $25,000. payable $1,000 
a year and interest, to be used in the construction of a concrete 
bridge, said obligations not to bear interest exceeding 4 per cent 
per annum. 

"Voted that we appropriate Si 000 out of the highway money 
raised this year to be expended on the approaches to the new 
bridge. 

"Voted that a committee of three be appointed by the chair, to 
be called a finance committee, to act in conjunction with the bridge 
committee and selectmen to finance the building of the bridge. 



134 SPRAGUE'S JOURNAL OF MAINE HISTORY 

Made choice of G. L. Arnold, W. J. Mayo, W. E. Parsons, finance 
committee. 

"Voted that the chair appoint a bridge committee oi three whose 
duty it shall be in conjunction with the finance committee and select- 
men to procure plans and specifications and execute a contract in 
behalf of the town and superintend the construction of the new 
bridge and grading the approaches to the same. Made choice of 
E. J. Mayo, S. F. Atwood, O. P. Martin, bridge committee." 

The bridge committee thus consisted of nine members. E. J. 
Mayo was elected chairman and W. E. Parsons secretary, the com- 
mittee serving without pay. Bearce & Clifford of Lewiston were 
the contractors and the contract price was $20,926.00, and the ex- 
tras, and a few changes, the building of a foot-bridge and the 
damage to abutting real estate owners, made the whole expense to 
the town practically around $25,000. 

The old wooden structures, four in number, with their endless 
repairs and never-ending expense of general maintenance, have been 
replaced by this concrete arch and broad roadway, which in point 
of construction is unsurpassed in all New England. 

To the present and future generations who will pass to and fro 
over this principal highway of the county, it is now dedicated. 

May it stand forever a monument to the courage and enterprise 
of our citizens, who having but recently passed from under one 
great burden, were willing to meet the expenditures necessary for 
so worthy an object and so beneficial to the present and future gen- 
erations. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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